A man has been charged following a police operation in western Sydney yesterday, which included a pursuit and shots fired by officers.
Officers from Blacktown Police Area Command received information just after 8.15am yesterday (Thursday 13 July 2023), relating to a suspicious activity in the Lalor Park area, after a man was reported to be swapping number plates on a black Holden Commodore sedan.
Police located the sedan travelling on Freeman Street, Lalor Park, about 9.30am and – when the driver failed to stop as directed – a police pursuit was initiated.
Additional resources, including Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and PolAir, were requested to assist as the vehicle was driven east through multiple nearby suburbs.
Officers again attempted to stop the car about 10.40am as it approached Gibbon and Old Windsor roads, Winston Hills.
When a senior constable, attached to the Raptor Squad, grabbed the slowing vehicle, the driver accelerated, and the officer was flung across the bonnet of a nearby police vehicle.
Police discharged a number of shots towards the sedan before it was driven onto the North West T-Way.
A short time later, a 21-year-old man left the car and was immediately arrested, with the driver fleeing the scene, driving north on Old Windsor Road.
The driver drove onto the M7 travelling west, before continuing onto the M4 and the Great Western Highway.
Road spikes were deployed unsuccessfully at Springwood about 11.15am, and the car continued to travel west on the Great Western Highway with PolAir monitoring.
After encountering traffic congestion past Katoomba, the driver conducted a U-turn and began driving east on the Great Western Highway.
Specialist operatives from the Tactical Operations Unit conducted a high-risk vehicle stop about 11.40am (Thursday 13 July 2023), stopping the vehicle on the Great Western Highway, Katoomba, near Woodlands Road.
The operatives deployed a Taser to effect the arrest of the driver, also aged 21.
The man was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Katoomba Hospital.
The first man has been taken to Blacktown Police Station where he has been released without charge
The Raptor Squad Officer was assessed by paramedics and taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment and later released.
The driver was released from Katoomba Hospital and taken to Katoomba Police Station where he was charged.
He was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and dishonestly obtain property by deception.
The man has been refused bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court today Friday (14 July 2023).
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information about this incident – including dash-cam or other vision – is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
