A man has been charged following a pursuit in the states north.
About 1.15am yesterday (Sunday 8 May 2021), a white Toyota Hilux with Queensland registration was allegedly seen by officers from the Port Macquarie Highway Patrol travelling about 80km/h in a 50km/h zone along Buller Street, Port Macquarie, before disobeying a red traffic light signal on Park Street.
Police attempted to stop the Hilux where it failed to do so, and a pursuit was initiated.
The Hilux continued along Settlement Point Road before turning off the road into a vacant block of land. A female occupant of the Hilux has exited and was struck by the Hilux but sustained no injuries.
While attempting to accelerate the Hilux has become bogged in soft soil. Officers from Port Macquarie Police District, who were assisting HWP officers, have called on the driver to exit where he refused to do so.
Accelerating harshly the Hilux has freed itself from being bogged moving forward before stopping and reversing where two police officers were forced to jump clear to avoid being struck by the Hilux. The Hilux has again become bogged.
Officers have smashed the drivers window and attempted to remove the driver from the Hilux where he resisted by holding onto the steering wheel and continued to accelerate.
An officer has deployed a Taser where the 26-year-old Queensland man was removed from the Hilux and arrested. He was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station.
It will be alleged by police that the man supplied false details and was a disqualified driver until February 2022. A search of the Hilux located a number of different number plates inside the vehicle. It will be further alleged that the Hilux had been stolen from Queensland earlier this month and was displaying registration plates not issued to the Hilux.
The man has been charged with eight offences including:
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
- Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention
- Resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Driver state false name or home address
- 3 x Receive property stolen outside NSW
He was bail refused to appear at Port Macquarie Local court today (Monday 10 May 2021).
The female passenger was also arrested by police at the scene but later released pending further inquiries.
