A man and woman will face court today charged following an incident in Newcastle yesterday morning.
About 6.30am yesterday (Thursday 2 July 2026), police were called to a shopping centre on Northcott Drive, Kotara, following reports of a break and enter.
At the scene, police attempted to stop an SUV in the carpark of the shopping centre.
The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated on Park Avenue, Kotara.
The pursuit continued through Kotara South and Charlestown to City Road, Adamstown Heights, where the SUV was allegedly forced through traffic, colliding with a sedan. The driver of the sedan was not injured.
The vehicle stopped at the intersection of Northcott and Wade streets at Kotara about 6.50am where and man and woman were arrested.
During a search of the SUV, police allegedly located and seized a firearm that was taken for further examination.
Officers also allegedly seized goods suspected of being stolen, along with a hammer, bolt cutters, screwdrivers, and pliers.
The man and woman were taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The 31-year-old man was charged with 24 offences,
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road (five counts)
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence (four counts)
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal (two counts)
- Special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-weapon (two counts)
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception
- Goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v)
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
- Use class A vehicle displaying altered number-plate
- Use etc offensive weapon in company to prevent detention
- Destroy/damage property in company
- Destroy or damage property
- Not give particulars to other driver
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and
- Possess housebreaking implements.
The 23-year-old woman was charged with five offences,
- Larceny value less than or equal to $2000
- Special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-weapon
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence
- Possess unauthorised pistol, and
- Possess housebreaking implements.
Both were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Friday 3 July 2026).
