Police have arrested a man after multiple alleged pursuits, and a crash that injured a police officer, in Wollongong.
Officers attached to Wollongong Police District have been conducting inquiries to locate a stolen Nissan Navara that has allegedly been involved in multiple pursuits and property crime offences in the area in recent days.
About 4pm today (Tuesday 5 September 2023), officers conducted patrols in Fairy Meadow after receiving information the vehicle had been seen driving dangerously.
It’s alleged the Navara then crashed into a marked police vehicle on Elliott Street at Fairy Meadow.
The officer, a male inspector, was trapped in his car for a short period before being released by paramedics.
He has been taken to Wollongong Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the Navara allegedly fled the scene; however, was arrested nearby after a foot pursuit.
The 23-year-old man has been taken to Wollongong Hospital where he will undergo mandatory testing before being taken to Wollongong Police Station.
The man’s arrest follows the arrest of a 54-year-old man yesterday who is alleged to have been involved in pursuits while driving the stolen car in the Wollongong area.
About 10am yesterday (Monday 4 September 2023), the man was arrested following inquiries into a pursuit at Corrimal the previous day.
It’s alleged the Nissan Navara was also used in that pursuit.
He was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with specially aggravated enter dwelling with intent to wound; police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously; and drive motor vehicle while disqualified.
He was bail refused and appeared in Wollongong Local Court where he was remanded in custody to reappear on 1 November 2023.
Inquiries by local police into the alleged property crime offences continues.
