A 23-year-old man has been charged after leading police on a wild pursuit in the Hunter Valley on Wednesday, December 17. Police became aware of an allegedly stolen Toyota Landcruiser ute being driven in the Pokolbin area at about 11.30am.
Hunter Valley police officers located the vehicle on Majors Lane at Sawyers Gully and attempted to stop the driver. The man allegedly failed to stop, sparking a pursuit that reached speeds of up to 120 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
Police successfully deployed road spikes, but the driver continued to flee, with two more spike attempts conducted. The tyres disintegrated, and the ute was driven on three rims along Lovedale Road, Wine Country Drive and Lomas Lane before entering a bush track, where the driver allegedly ran from the vehicle.
A perimeter was established, and the police dog squad was called in, leading to the man's arrest. A search allegedly revealed 1.1 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on the man, and stolen number plates in the vehicle.
The 23-year-old from North Rothbury was taken to hospital for a drug analysis before being charged with several offences, including police pursuit, stealing a vehicle, driving while disqualified, and drug-related charges. He faced bail court on Thursday, December 18.
