Police have arrested a man following an alleged break and enter and several pursuits through the Hunter overnight.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified of an alleged break and enter at a rural property in Ellalong, that occurred between 9am and 6pm yesterday (Thursday 8 July 2021).
Several items were stolen – including four firearms, a black Dodge Ram utility and a white Audi A4.
Police commenced an investigation into the incident.
About 11.55pm, local officers were patrolling Old Maitland Road at Cessnock when they observed the stolen white Audi A4.
Police engaged in a pursuit which travelled through several Cessnock streets – allegedly reaching speeds of 180km/h in a sign-posted 80km/h zone – before the pursuit was terminated due to the manner of driving.
The vehicle was sighted again about 1.10am today (Friday 9 July 2021) in Abermain, when a second pursuit was initiated.
The Audi continued through several streets of Abermain, Weston and Kurri Kurri, before the pursuit was terminated a second time.
About 1.50am, officers located the vehicle abandoned in Adams Street, Heddon Greta; several police resources, including the Dog Unit and PolAir, were utilised and a 21-year-old man was arrested without incident a short time later.
He was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with nine offences, including:
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly,
- Break and enter house steal value > $60,000,
- Drive while disqualified,
- Drive recklessly/furiously/speed/manner dangerous,
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner,
- Possess/use prohibited weapon,
- Possess unauthorised firearm,
- Use, supply etc stolen firearm or firearm part, and
- Possess housebreaking implements.
The Aberdare man was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 9 July 2021).
Investigations into the break and enter at Ellalong are ongoing, anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
