A man, whom police feared was armed with a machete and had access to firearms, has been charged following a pursuit and collision in Sydney’s south yesterday.
This follows an incident at Aboukir Street at Rockdale around 8am yesterday (Friday 22 February 2019) when a worksite manager confronted a man allegedly changing the number plate on a vehicle. The manager told police the driver threatened him with what appeared to be a firearm before fleeing.
St George Detectives are continuing their inquiries in relation to this incident.
Police are alleging this event is linked to an incident at a Taren Point fast food outlet later in the day where a pregnant woman was confronted by the man who had two machetes. The woman was not injured and contacted police.
Investigations revealed the man also spoke with a woman who was known to him in Florida Street, Sylvania, causing her to be concerned for her safety.
Inquiries to locate the man culminated around 6pm yesterday when officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command located a man driving a vehicle who had earlier been reported to them as allegedly being armed with a machete and with access to a firearm.
Shortly after 6pm, officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command located a man driving a stolen vehicle and pursued it when the vehicle failed to stop near the Southgate Shopping Centre.
A number of pursuits commenced and were terminated due to the manner in which the stolen Holden Trax was being driven.
Shortly after, officers travelling south on the Princes Highway observed and followed the Holden being driven south in the north bound lanes.
The Holden was then involved in a collision with the police vehicle in Gymea, causing the vehicles to be pushed into the south bound lanes of the highway.
The male and female constables, although injured in the collision, ran to the Trax to check on the driver’s condition and make an arrest.
The male refused to comply and was removed from the vehicle and arrested at gun point.
The officers were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and have since been discharged.
A 29-year-old man from The Oaks was arrested at the scene and conveyed to Sutherland Hospital for assessment.
The man was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with 11 offences including intimidation (x2), police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (Skyes Law) (x2), driver never licensed, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected stolen (x2), resist arrest, wield knife in a public place and possess prohibited drug.
The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via AVL later today (Saturday 23 February 2019).
