A man has been charged by following a pursuit and multiple alleged attempted carjackings following an operation by officers attached to Oxley Police District and Highway Patrol yesterday.
About 12.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 13 July 2022), a green utility allegedly failed to pay for petrol at a service station in Dunedoo, before failing to pay at a second service station at Denman about 1.50pm.
A short time later, police saw a utility being driven west along Denman Road allegedly at more than 140km/h in a sign-posted 100km/h zone.
Police initiated a pursuit when the vehicle failed to stop, but it was terminated a short time later due to the manner of driving.
About 2.40pm, police received information that the ute driver had stopped a sedan on the New England Highway near Murrurundi and allegedly using a machete to force the 55-year-old driver and his 16-year-old son out of the car.
The armed man was unable to start the sedan so returned to the ute, before a further two unsuccessful attempts to allegedly carjack a van and a 4WD, threatening those drivers with the machete.
The ute continued north to a service station at Willow Tree where police arrested the driver a short time later.
Police seized two machetes when the ute was searched. They have been taken for further examination.
There are no reports of any injuries during the incidents.
A 32-year-old man has now been charged with 13 offences
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception (two counts)
- Drive while licence cancelled
- Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed
- Aggravated assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle-armed with weapon
- Armed with intent commit indictable offence (three counts)
- Attempt aggravated assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle-armed with weapon
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
- Refuse or fail to provide urine sample; and
- Refuse or fail to submit to taking of blood sample
The Wellington man was refused bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court today (Thursday 14 July 2022).
