Police have charged two women with 29 offences following an alleged crime spree across the Port Stephens – Hunter Police District during the past week, NSW Police say.
Officers will allege the two women, aged 24 and 27, stole numerous vehicles across the district by posing as interested buyers for vehicles advertised for sale online.
On Thursday 15 November 2018, the women allegedly stole a black Mazda6 from an address in Bolwarra Heights, with that vehicle was used in multiple alleged offences including failing to pay for fuel at a service station at Nabiac.
Later that same day, the Mazda6 was found damaged on Viney Creek Road, West Tea Gardens; a short time later, a Toyota Hilux was stolen from a home further down the same road.
Police established a perimeter around Viney Creek Road and saw the stolen Hilux travel past.
Officers activated warning devices and attempted to stop the driver but she failed to stop as directed.
A pursuit was initiated with the vehicle followed north on the Pacific Highway; however, due to erratic driving the pursuit was terminated.
Members of the public contacted police to report the driving of the Hilux which enabled police to resume the pursuit when they came across the vehicle on Failford Road, Darawank.
The pursuit continued through Tuncurry and Forster where the women were arrested when their ute was forced to stop due to heavy traffic on the Forster Bridge.
Police arrested the two women and took them to Maitland Police Station where they were charged with multiple offences including steal motor vehicle, police pursuit – not stop – drive manner dangerous, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, aggravated break and enter, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, having goods in custody suspected of being stolen, and shoplifting.
They were refused bail and will appear in Forster Local Court today (Tuesday 20 November 2018).
