A man has been charged after he allegedly stole three motor vehicles - one towing a caravan with a woman still inside - over a 150km stretch of the Mitchell Highway between Barringun and Bourke yesterday.
Police will allege about 5.15pm Tuesday, a 28-year-old man stole a Nissan Navara utility from outside a hotel in Barringun and then travelled south along the Mitchell Highway towards Enngonia.
On entering Enngonia, police stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver. A scuffle ensued and the driver allegedly punched a male officer and ran into a nearby street where he allegedly stole a white Toyota Avalon sedan.
The officer attempted to follow the Toyota but lost sight of it as it drove south along the Mitchell Highway towards Bourke.
About 40km south of Enngonia, the driver stopped at a rest stop after the Toyota had a flat tyre. The man allegedly parked next to a blue Mazda BT-50 utility which had a caravan attached.
The man allegedly entered the Mazda and started to drive it away. The owner of the Mazda – a 68-year-old Victorian man ran over to his vehicle and scuffled with the man through the driver’s door in an attempt to stop him.
The Mazda owner was allegedly pushed from his vehicle; he was dragged a short distance before he fell heavily onto the road and lost consciousness, suffering significant head, wrist and leg injuries. The man was assisted by witnesses at the rest stop and later flown to Dubbo Base Hospital by The Royal Flying Doctor Service where he remains in a stable condition.
A 66-year-old woman, the Mazda owner’s partner – was still inside the attached caravan along with several of their Whippet show dogs during the incident.
The officer from Enngonia arrived at the rest stop shortly afterwards and continued to follow the Mazda utility and caravan as it drove towards Bourke.
About 10km south of the rest stop, the officer from Enngonia found the Mazda utility and caravan stopped by the side of the road with flat tyres.
The officer sighted the man in the driver’s seat and attempted to re-arrest him, who again allegedly resisted arrest. Officers from Bourke arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and assisted the officer in re-arresting the man.
The 66-year-old woman and her two dogs were released from the caravan. The woman was treated for a chipped front tooth.
The male officer from Enngonia was treated for minor injuries and remained on duty.
The 28-year-old man was conveyed to Bourke Police Station where he also allegedly damaged a police vehicle. He has since been charged with 13 offences.
The offences include, Take and drive conveyance (x2), Aggravated take/drive conveyance cause actual bodily harm, Resist arrest (x3), Assault police, Take and detain with intent to obtain advantage, Escape lawful custody, Recklessly damage/destroy property and Drive unregistered motor vehicle/drive uninsured motor vehicle.
The man was refused bail to appear before Bourke Local Court tomorrow.
