A man has been charged after a five-hour police operation in Wollongong yesterday.
Officers from Wollongong Police District saw a vehicle allegedly being driven dangerously on Five Islands Road at Berkeley about 10am (Thursday 27 October 2022),
It will be alleged the driver of the white Toyota Corolla was travelling on the wrong side of the road before ramming a police vehicle on Railway Parade, Wollongong.
The officers were not injured and a pursuit was initiated, before the male driver left the car and ran into a unit complex on Bourke Street, Wollongong.
The man – who was allegedly armed with a shortened firearm – refused to leave the unit when directed and a perimeter was established with Bourke Street cordoned off.
Additional resources were called to the scene with officers from Lake Illawarra Police District, the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), Tactical Operations Region Support (TORS), State Technical Investigation Branch (STIB), and Police Negotiators assisting.
A man – who was allegedly being held against his will – was released about 2.30pm. He was unharmed.
About 3pm, a 25-year-old man surrendered and was arrested without further incident.
He was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with nine offences
• Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
• Not give particulars to other driver (two counts)
• Possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority
• Possess loaded firearm public place
• Take/detain person without to obtain advantage
• Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, and
• Never licensed person drive vehicle on road.
He was refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court today (Friday 28 October 2022).
