A man who police allege forced a 67-year-old woman out of her car before stealing the vehicle and leading officers on a high-speed pursuit in the NSW Hunter Valley will face court tomorrow.
Police say officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop a black Mazda on Cumberland Street, Cessnock, at around 3.40pm on July 7th.
“When the driver allegedly failed to comply a pursuit was initiated. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Police will allege the vehicle stopped in Weston, where the driver left the vehicle and approached a Mitsubishi Magna parked nearby.
“The man allegedly forced the driver, a 67-year-old woman, from the vehicle and drove it away,” Police said.
Police say the woman and her female passenger were thankfully not injured during the ordeal.
“With the assistance of PolAir, officers located the vehicle on Anderson Drive, Beresfield, and – a short time later – a 33-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to access another two vehicles in a garage on Emerson Street.”
He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle, negligent driving (two counts), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and enter dwelling with intent to steal.
The Raymond Terrace man was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court tomorrow.
