Two men will face court today charged over an alleged pursuit in a stolen vehicle at Newcastle yesterday.
About 3pm (Wednesday 4 December 2024), police were patrolling Watkins Street, Merewether, when they observed a silver Toyota Echo driving erratically.
Subsequent inquiries revealed the car was bearing incorrect number plates and was stolen from Nickson Street, Bar Beach, on Sunday 1 December 2024.
Officers attached to the Hunter DV High Risk Offender Team attempted to stop the vehicle, and when it allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
A short time later, two men – a 20-year-old driver and 51-year-old passenger – left the vehicle on Douglas Way, Hamilton South, and fled on foot.
They were arrested nearby with the assistance of officers attached to Newcastle-Hunter Highway Patrol, before being taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The driver was charged with two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, and never licensed person drive vehicle on road (prior offence).
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 16 January 2024.
The passenger was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 5 December 2024).
