Three people have been charged following three separate pursuits through Lake Macquarie and Newcastle overnight.
About 12.25am (Friday 3 April 2020), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were conducting patrols of the Cardiff area when they observed a white Volkswagen Polo on Main Street – which had been reported stolen earlier in the week from a Valentine residence.
Police activated all warning lights and sirens before the vehicle drove off at speed and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through several streets of Cardiff onto the Newcastle City Bypass, with the Polo allegedly travelling south in the northbound lanes; the pursuit was then terminated due to safety concerns.
A short time later, the Polo was spotted on Medcalf Street, Warners Bay, where police initiated a second pursuit.
The vehicle continued onto The Esplanade, Speers Point, allegedly reaching speeds of 100km/h in a signposted-60km/h zone before police again terminated the pursuit for safety concerns.
Then about 12.40am, police saw the Polo on Myall Road, Cardiff, and initiated a third pursuit.
The vehicle travelled through several suburbs including Cardiff, Elermore Vale and Wallsend, allegedly reaching speeds of 100km/h in a signposted-60km/h zone.
The Polo then allegedly continued travelling east in the westbound lanes of Thomas Street, Wallsend, where police terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns.
A short time later, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were patrolling the area when they observed the Polo travelling at speed through the intersection of Walford and Thomas Streets, Wallsend, before the vehicle allegedly ran a red light and collided with a westbound silver Subaru.
No one was injured in the collision.
Four persons exited the Polo and ran from the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City Police Districts, with assistance from the Dog Unit, established a perimeter and arrested two men – aged 20 and 19 – and a 16-year-old youth.
All three were taken to Waratah Police Station and charged.
A 20-year-old Kurri man has been charged with seven offences, including police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerous, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and not give particulars to other driver. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard for treatment. He has since been released and bail refused to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 3 April 2020).
A 19-year-old Blackalls Park man has been charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 25 June 2020.
A 16-year-old Blackalls Park boy has been charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. He was granted conditional bail to face a children’s court in June.
Lake Macquarie Police Commander, Superintendent Daniel Sullivan APM, said this is a great example of collaboration and teamwork between police districts.
“Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City Police band together on a daily basis to protect the residents of the Hunter.
“Through constant communication, we lower the police boundaries and join resources to get the job done,” Supt Sullivan said.
