Police charge man after vehicle thefts and police pursuits in North Coast

A man has been charged following multiple pursuits and vehicle thefts on the state’s Coffs Coast.

Police will allege that a Holden Rodeo was stolen from a home at Stuarts Point last Friday (5 March 2021).

On Sunday 7 March 2021, police noticed the stolen vehicle near Moonee Beach, and engaged in a short pursuit, however, it was terminated due to safety concerns.

About 11pm the same day, the Holden was found burnout on East Bank Road, Coramba.

As officers responded to reports of the vehicle fire, a Nissan X-Trail was stolen in the same street.

About 1.30am yesterday (Monday 8 March 2021), police were patrolling when they noticed the X-Trail in the carpark of a supermarket in Woolgoolga.

Officers commenced a pursuit; however, it was again terminated due to safety concerns.

About 2pm the same day, police engaged in another pursuit with the Nissan X-Trail on the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour. It was terminated, and a short time later, the vehicle was found on fire in bushland east of Victoria Street, Coffs Harbour.

A large police response including officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District, the Dog Unit and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command resulted in the arrest of a 36-year-old man in Short Street, Coffs Harbour.

He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with two counts of take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, attempt take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, two counts of drive while licence cancelled, and larceny.

He was refused bail and will appear on Coffs Harbour Local Court today (Tuesday 9 March 2021).

/Public Release. View in full here.