Police charge three men after pursuit in Woonoona

Three men have been charged following a police pursuit in a stolen vehicle in the state’s south yesterday.

About 3.50pm (Friday 6 November 2020), a white Audi Q7, suspected stolen, was sighted by Wollongong Highway Patrol travelling on Waley Crescent, Bellambi, when a pursuit was initiated.

The Audi travelled north on Morgan Place before allegedly driving on the shared pedestrian path and cycleway. The pursuit was terminated for safety reasons. No one was injured.

A short time later, the Audi was located abandoned on Pendlebury Parade, Woonona, and a perimeter was established.

The driver, a 19-year-old man, was located in the backyard of a home on John Cawley Crescent. Upon searching him, police allegedly located 4 grams of cannabis.

One passenger, an 18-year-old man, was located at a bus stop at the corner of Lighthouse Drive and Pendlebury Parade. Upon searching the man, police allegedly located a number of ID cards and a knife.

The second passenger, a 19-year-old man, was located trying to hide on Lighthorse Drive.

All three men were arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station.

The driver, from Caves Beach, was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, possess prohibited drug, and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

The 18-year-old, from Young, was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), and custody of knife in public place.

The second passenger, from Towradgi, was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The driver and 18-year-old passenger were refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Satruday 7 November 2020).

The 19-year-old passenger was granted conditional bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 8 December 2020.

/Public Release. View in full here.