Police have fired shots and two men have been arrested after a two-hour chase across Western Sydney on Thursday morning. The pursuit began when police received information that a man was swapping number plates on a black Holden Commodore sedan in Lalor Park at 8.15am.
About an hour later, police allege the driver failed to stop when directed, initiating the chase. The pursuit moved through Winston Hills, where a senior constable grabbed the slowing car but was flung across the bonnet of a nearby police car. Police confirmed officers shot at the car before it reached a nearby motorway.
A 21-year-old passenger left the car on Old Windsor Road, Winston Hills, but the driver continued. The car did not stop after police used road spikes but was later trapped in traffic in Katoomba, where it was forced to complete a U-turn. The tactical operations unit then conducted a high-risk vehicle stop on the Great Western Highway near Woodlands Road.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said extreme measures were taken due to a significant risk to the community. The vehicle crossed onto the wrong side of the road, drove on footpaths, and put the community at risk, leading to the deployment of the tactical operations unit and authorisation of the intercept.
The 21-year-old alleged driver was tasered and taken to Katoomba Hospital under police guard. The 21-year-old passenger was taken into custody at Blacktown Police Station. Motorists were urged to avoid affected areas in Katoomba and Winston Hills.
