Police Operation Nets Teen After Dramatic Car Chase
A 15-year-old boy has been taken into custody following a police pursuit that stretched across the Hunter Valley last Friday. The incident, which occurred on November 7, 2025, saw officers chase a stolen vehicle from Greta before it was eventually abandoned in Rutherford.
Stolen Vehicle and Weapon Seized
According to NSW Police, the pursuit was initiated for a vehicle reported stolen from a residential property in Lorn on November 6. The chase concluded when the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot after stopping in Rutherford. A subsequent search of the abandoned car led to the discovery of a knife inside. Police confirmed that both the vehicle and the knife have been seized and will undergo a detailed forensic examination to gather evidence.
The teenage boy was located and arrested by police. He was transported to Maitland Police Station and is set to be dealt with under the provisions of the Young Offenders Act.
Second Stolen Vehicle Discovered in Ashfield
In a related incident early on the same Friday, police uncovered another abandoned vehicle near Ashfield. This car had been reported stolen during a break-and-enter in Metford on Tuesday, November 4. The Police Dog Unit was deployed to search for the five young people witnesses reported seeing flee from the scene. While the individuals were not located, a search of the vehicle revealed two large knives. These items, along with the car, were also seized for forensic analysis.
Operation Soteria Cracks Down on Regional Crime
These arrests were part of a coordinated, three-day high-visibility police operation known as Operation Soteria. The initiative targeted crime prevention and disruption across Newcastle, the Hunter, and Port Stephens regions from Wednesday, November 5, to Friday, November 7.
The operation involved a multi-unit effort, bringing together officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter and Hunter Valley Police Districts, the specialised Dog Unit, and Youth Command. Over the course of the operation, police conducted an impressive 52 bail compliance checks and made seven arrests, demonstrating a significant push to address crime, particularly youth-related offences, in the area. Authorities have stated that Operation Soteria is an ongoing effort.
