PolAir tracked the stolen vehicle, reaching speeds of 140km/h

3 MALES ARRESTED – STOLEN VEHICLE PURSUIT

About 11:00pm last night (Thursday 9 April 2020) Newcastle City Police identified and attempted to stop a Holden Commodore which had been reported stolen from Ashtonfield two days prior.

The vehicle was travelling at high speed on Minmi Road, Minmi when police intercepted it and commenced a pursuit when it failed to stop. The pursuit continued to the Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend where police ceased the pursuit due to safety concerns.

A short time later the vehicle was located and a second pursuit initiated on Minmi Road, Maryland. Aviation Support (PolAir) took control of the pursuit from this point with ground police relinquishing active involvement. The stolen vehicle was successfully tracked at speeds of 140km/h in 80km/h areas through Maryland, Minmi, Lenaghan, Black Hill and Tarro, where it was observed to stop in Hall Crescent, Tarro.

The three male occupants exited the vehicle and attempted to hide within a yard of a premises before ground police were guided to their location and all were arrested without incident. All three were taken to Waratah Police Station and were charged relating to the pursuit.

A 16 year old Blackalls Park youth was charged with be carried in conveyance without consent of owner and breach of conditional bail. He was refused bail to appear at Broadmeadow Children’s Court today (10/4/2020) and has since been refused bail by the court to appear on 14/4/2020.

A 19 year old Blackalls Park man was also charged with be carried in conveyance without consent of owner and breach of conditional bail. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (10/4/2020) and has since been refused bail by the court to appear on 11/4/2020.

A 21 year old Broadmeadow man was charged with police pursuit – drive dangerous (skyes law) and drive conveyance without consent of owner. The male who was on parole until March 2021 was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (10/04/2020).

Police will allege that the two passengers were on conditional bail, having previously been involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit in Wallsend last Friday 3 April 2020 where they were arrested and charged.

In response to an increase in stolen vehicles during 2020, Newcastle City Police continues to focus on these offences, by targeting known persons and utilising specialist resources.

We are seeking community assistance through increased security measures. Despite a lot of residents being home at present due to movement restrictions, we ask the community to not be complacent about locking doors to your home and storing car keys in places not easily found.