Multiple police pursuits across the Hunter

Four people are in custody following a proactive operation this morning by officers attached to Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City police districts.

Calls to Triple Zero (000) shortly after 4am (Friday 13 May 2022), alerted police to several vehicles being driven dangerously in the Lake Macquarie area.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attempted to stop four vehicles – a BMW SUV, a Ford Ranger utility, a Suzuki Swift and a motorcycle – travelling along Wangi Road, Dora Creek, with a pursuit being initiated when the drivers failed to stop as directed.

An 18-year-old man from Blackwells Park and a 17-year-old boy were arrested when the ute crashed into a second vehicle at Toronto. They’ve been taken to Toronto Police Station. Police have confirmed the ute had been reported stolen from Maitland.

A 57-year-old man from Warner Bay was examined at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics after suffering bruising in the crash with the ute. He has been taken to John Hunter Hospital to be checked as a precaution.

A short time later, two youths, aged 15 and 16, were arrested when road spikes were successfully deployed on Five Islands Road, Speers Point, stopping the Swift, earlier stolen from Dora Creek. They are also in custody at Toronto Police Station.

A BMW – which had been reported stolen from Merewether earlier today – was found dumped at Gateshead about 6am. It has been taken for forensic examination.

Inquiries are continuing into the whereabouts of the motorbike, which was also reported stolen from Merewether.

Police have also recovered a stolen BMW 3 series which was found dumped at Eleebana a short time ago.