Three people have been charged following two separate police pursuits in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday.
About 4.40pm on Thursday 16 January 2025, officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Police District's Proactive Crime Team saw a silver Ford sedan travelling in the Morisset area.
Police attempted to the stop the vehicle and when it did not stop, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through Wyee to the Pacific Highway, where the silver Ford collided with another vehicle. The driver of that vehicle was not injured.
Two people ran from the Silver Ford into bushland and two people – including the alleged driver – a man aged 26, and a woman passenger, aged 29, were later located and arrested by police.
A search of the vehicle revealed a large amount of copper wiring, which police suspected was the proceeds of a recent break and enter at a telecommunications facility at Dora Creek.
A short time later, following inquiries, police went to a house on the Pacific Highway at Doyalson, where they saw the 39-year-old man.
The man jumped into a black Suzuki sedan. Police attempted to the stop the vehicle and when it did not stop, a pursuit was initiated.
Police pursued the vehicle until it was successfully road-spiked at Cragan Bay, where shortly after, the vehicle crashed into trees and the driver ran off into bushland. He was arrested a short time later.
All three were taken to Belmont Police Station, where they were charged with the following offences.
The 26-year-old man was charged with eight offences – police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive whilst disqualified, enter enclosed lands without lawful excuse, throw object at vehicle – risk safety, hinder police, possess prohibited drug (two counts) and not give particulars. He was also charged with three outstanding warrants linked to more than 30 offences dating back to 2021. He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court later today (Friday 17 January 2025).
The 29-year-old woman was charged with two drug-related offences. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 29 January 2025.
The 39-year-old man was charged with 26 offences, including seven counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously in relation to a string of pursuits over the past few weeks, the alleged theft of a motor vehicle and caravan from Dora Creek and the alleged theft of batteries and copper cabling from a telecommunications facility at Dora Creek on Saturday 4 January 2025.
He was refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court later today (Friday 17 January 2025).
