Investigators have charged three people following an investigation into a crash that left a police officer with serious head injuries in the state's Monaro region almost two months ago.
About 8.20pm on Monday 30 August 2021, officers from Monaro Police District were in pursuit of a confirmed stolen utility on the Monaro Highway, Nimmitabel, about 2km outside of Cooma.
The ute stopped, and the driver got out of the car and fled, pursued by police on foot.
The man was seen getting into an Audi which has driven off, allegedly colliding with the officer.
The constable suffered serious head injuries and was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Canberra Hospital. He has since been released and is recovering at home.
Officers from Monaro Police District established Strike Force Varga to investigate the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators arrested a 30-year-old man on Knowles Place, Canberra, just after 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 21 October 2021).
Monaro Police – with the assistance of ACT Police – then executed two search warrants at addresses in the ACT.
A 26-year-old man was arrested at a unit on Novar Street, Yarralumla, ACT, about 10.20am and shortly after, a woman, aged 43, was arrested at a home in Gerogery Place, O'Malley, ACT.
During a search of the properties, officers seized bank cards, electronic devices and clothing relevant to the investigation.
The trio were taken to Canberra City Police Station, before appearing in ACT Magistrates Court yesterday, where the woman and 30-year-old man were extradited to NSW.
Both have since been charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury, and use etc offensive weapon in company to prevent detention – serious indictable offence.
They have been refused bail to appear in Cooma Local Court today (Friday 22 October 2021).
The younger man's extradition to NSW was denied and he remains in custody in the ACT.
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.
