A teenage boy will face court today charged after an alleged pursuit in the Lake Illawarra region overnight.
Just before 7.30pm (Monday 3 March 2025), officers attached to Lake Illawarra Highway Patrol were patrolling Flinders at Shellharbour, when they observed a Holden Commodore allegedly perform a burnout and driving off at speed.
Police attempted to stop the Holden on Shellharbour Road, Shell Cove; however, the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, travelling through local streets towards Berkeley.
Road spikes were deployed; however, they were unsuccessful, and the pursuit was terminated a short time on Northcliff Drive, due to the manner of driving.
The vehicle was sighted shortly after at Five Islands Road, Unanderra, before turning onto the Princes Highway and heading north.
Police re-engaged in the pursuit and a passenger has allegedly thrown a toolbox from the vehicle towards officers.
The vehicle continued along Mount Kembla Mountain, before it began to billow smoke, stopping on Harry Graham Drive at Mount Kiera.
The driver, a 17-year-old boy, and a 20-year-old female passenger were arrested.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers found an 11-month-old child restrained in the back seat. The uninjured child was taken to Wollongong Hospital as a precaution and left in the care of a family member.
The driver was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive without proper control of vehicle, learner not accompanied and learner driver not display "L" plates as prescribed.
He was refused bail and will appear before a children's court today (Tuesday 4 March 2025).
The woman was issued a court attendance notice for throw missile at police officer executing duty. She will appear in court at a later date.
The Department of Communities and Justice have been notified.
