Two men have been charged after a lengthy pursuit in the state's New England region today.
About 6.50am (Friday 18 October 2024), officers from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a white Ford station wagon on the Gwydir Highway, Elsmore – approximately 15km west of Inverell – after checks revealed it was allegedly displaying the incorrect registration plates.
When the vehicle failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.
It will be alleged that the pursuit reached speeds of 180km/h in a 100km/h zone and the vehicle also avoided road spikes that were deployed.
Approximately one hour later, the driver stopped the vehicle in Pitlochry Road, Glen Innes, which was a no-through road.
The driver – a 26-year-old man – and a passenger – a 49-year-old man – were arrested at the scene.
Police searched the vehicle and cannabis was located in the vehicle.
Both men were taken to Glen Innes Police Station.
Inquiries established that the vehicle was allegedly unregistered/uninsured, displaying registration plates not issued to that vehicle, and the driver had never held a driver's licence.
The driver also underwent an oral fluid test that allegedly returned a positive reading. The sample will undergo additional testing before any further action is taken.
The younger man was charged with six offences:
- · use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road
- · police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed
- · unlawfully possess number plates
- · class A m/v exceed speed > 45 km/h – estimated
- · Never licensed person drive vehicle on road - prior offence, and
- · use uninsured motor vehicle on road.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court tomorrow (Saturday 19 October 2024).
The other man was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug and granted conditional bail, to appear at Glen Innes Local Court on Tuesday 12 November 2024.
