Detectives have charged two people with firearm and driving offences after they allegedly drove dangerously near police vehicles in the New England area.
About 11.40pm yesterday (Sunday 31 December 2023), officers attached to New England Police District located an allegedly stolen SUV travelling on the Newell Highway, Boggabilla.
The driver allegedly did not stop when directed and began to drive dangerously around police vehicles.
Police attempted to deploy road spikes unsuccessfully and the vehicle allegedly fled the area.
Following inquires police located the SUV allegedly driving through fencing on a property in Moree, about 3am today (Monday 1 December 2023).
The driver and a passenger then exited the vehicle before allegedly driving at police in a different SUV.
Officers attached to Oxley Police District directed the driver to stop. When they allegedly failed to do so a pursuit was initiated.
Police successfully deployed road spikes causing the SUV to be abandoned in Narrabri. Police then searched the vehicle locating two firearms and ammunition which were seized for forensic examination.
A search of the area was conducted with assistance from the Dog Unit. During the search police were told by a member of the public that two people allegedly attempted to steal another vehicle but were chased off by the same member of the public.
Following the search, a woman aged 21 and a 23-year-old man, were located in a nearby garage in Narrabri.
They were both arrested and taken to Narrabri Police Station
The 23-year-old man was charged with predatory driving, possess unregistered firearm pistol, use, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence or permit or authority, acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire firearm subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, attempt discharge firearm intent to resist arrest, police pursuit not stop drive recklessly and three counts of enter inclosed land without lawful excuse.
The 21-year-old woman was charged with possess unregistered firearm pistol, use, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence or permit or authority, acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire firearm subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, aggravated break and enter with intent, aggravated enter dwelling with intent and enter inclosed lands without lawful excuse and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
Police will allege in court that during the pursuit the 23-year-old man pointed a firearm at an officer.
They were refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 2 January 2023).
