NSW police charge three after pursuit during Operation Trance

Police have charged three people after a pursuit following a high-visibility road safety enforcement operation conducted across Orana Mid-Western Police District at the weekend.

Operation Trance, conducted by North West Region Traffic and Highway Patrol Command commenced 6am last Thursday (10 February 2022) and concluded about 11pm Sunday (13 February 2022), targeting driving offences in and around Dubbo.

During the operation police conducted 509 random breath tests and charged two people with drink driving offences.

Police conducted 115 random drug tests, with 17 people returning a positive indication for the presence of a prohibited drug.

In total, 22 charges were laid and an additional 100 Traffic Infringement Notices (TIN) were issued for a range of traffic-related offences.

Of note, about 12.45am on Saturday (12 February 2022), officers from Mt Druitt Highway Patrol were conducting proactive patrols, when they attempted to stop a white Mahindra XUV wagon on Erskine street, Dubbo, believed to have been stolen.

When it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated through several streets before heading south on the Newell Highway.

About 90km south of Dubbo the wagon ran out of fuel causing it to leave the road before colliding with a fence and tree.

The driver and two passengers exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before they were arrested in a wheat field nearby.

All three were taken to Dubbo Police Station.

The driver – a 28-year-old man – was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, carry cutting weapon upon apprehension, possess prohibited drug and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

Two female passengers – aged 25 and 30 – were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The man was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Thursday 17 February 2022.

The two women were given conditional bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 30 March 2022.

/Public Release. View in full here.