Disqualified driver charged after pursuit in Belmont

A man will face court charged with traffic offences after a pursuit in the Lake Macquarie region yesterday.

About 9.40am (Thursday 30 June 2022), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District saw a white Toyota Hilux – which had been reported missing from a worksite in Catherine Hill Bay – travelling north on the Pacific Highway, Belmont South.

The driver allegedly failed to stop and accelerated away from police when a pursuit was initiated.

Police pursued the utility through the suburbs of Belmont South, Belmont and Belmont North before the utility collided with a police vehicle at the intersection of Marks Street and the Pacific Highway, Belmont.

No officers were injured during the collision, but the police vehicle sustained damage.

The pursuit was re-initiated a short time later into Belmont Wetlands where the pursuit was terminated.

Officers entered the wetlands on foot where they found the utility alight.

With assistance from the Police Dog Squad, a 36-year-old man was arrested nearby.

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with steal motor vehicle, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, negligent driving, not give particulars to other driver, damage property by fire/explosion, and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 1 July 2022).

/Public Release. View in full here.