A man has been charged with alleged firearms, drug and traffic offences following an investigation into a pursuit and crash in Newcastle earlier this year.
Shortly after 6pm on Tuesday 14 January 2025, police attempted to stop a Ford Everest on Acacia Avenue, Waratah, which had been reported stolen from a Cooks Hill address earlier in the day.
When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued throughout several suburbs of Newcastle, before the Ford allegedly drove through a red traffic light at the intersection of Fern Street and Maitland Road, Wickham, where it collided with a motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider – a 27-year-old man – suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The Ford continued to Albert Street where it collided with a police vehicle, causing the police vehicle to roll onto its side. No police officers were injured.
The Ford stopped and the driver and passenger ran from the car.
Following a foot pursuit, police arrested the passenger – a man aged 26 – on Albert Street, Wickham.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with 11 offences and remains before the court.
Following extensive inquiries, Newcastle City Detectives attended a home on Colliers Close, Newcastle East, where they arrested a 41-year-old man about 8.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 March 2025).
During a search, police allegedly located and seized a loaded firearm, ammunition, knuckle dusters, a knife, and various types and quantities of prohibited drugs.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with 15 offences:
- pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously,
- never licenced person drive on road,
- take and drive conveyance without consent of owner,
- fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury,
- not give particulars to other driver,
- possess loaded firearm public place,
- possess unregistered firearm in public place,
- possess unregistered firearm,
- possess shortened firearm without authority,
- possess ammunition without holding licence,
- possess or use prohibited weapon without permit,
- custody of knife in public place,
- possess prohibited drug,
- supply prohibited drug, and
- possess prescribed restricted substance.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 13 March 2025).
