Six people have been charged following a pursuit and vehicle stop that ended in Sydney’s inner west this morning.
Just after 11.20pm yesterday (Friday 11 February 2022), police observed a Land Rover – that had been reported stolen from Dundas earlier that day – travelling on the M2 Motorway at Baulkham Hills.
A pursuit was initiated; however, it was terminated shortly after due to safety reasons.
With assistance from PolAir, the car was monitored while travelling through Sydney’s west, inner west, and city, before entering the M4 WestConnex tunnel at Haberfield around 1.50am (Saturday 12 February 2022).
Police observed the occupants exit the Land Rover and enter a Toyota Echo that was stopped inside the tunnel.
The Toyota attempted to flee the scene, before it was stopped by police and the five occupants were arrested.
During the arrests, the Land Rover allegedly drove at the stationary police vehicles and officers who had to take evasive action. A police vehicle was struck, forcing it to collide with a second police vehicle, injuring an officer.
A constable was treated for lacerations and conveyed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition. A second officer sustained a minor ankle injury.
The driver of the Land Rover – a 24-year-old man – was arrested and taken to the same hospital, under police guard, for treatment of minor injuries.
The five occupants of the Toyota – four males aged 14, 20, 22, 26 and a -16-year-old girl – were taken to Burwood Police Station.
Officers from Burwood Police Area Command established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police, and the vehicles were seized for further examination.
Upon release from hospital, the 24-year-old Willmot man was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with use offensive weapon in company to prevent detention, predatory driving, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, never licenced person drive vehicle on road, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of owner, and passenger not disclose driver’s/other passenger’s identity.
The 22-year-old man from Penrith was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, possess prohibited drug, and breach of bail.
The 20-year-old Penrith man was charged with aid and/or abet police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive while licence cancelled, goods suspected stolen in/on premises, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, steal motor vehicle and take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.
The 26-year-old Whalan man was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
All four have been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court tomorrow (Sunday 13 February 2022).
The 14-year-old boy from Blackett and 16-year-old girl from Whalan were each charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and breach of bail.
They will both appear before a children’s court tomorrow.
Investigations continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
