Pursuit ends after driving through the backyard of a house only to collide with a pole on the other side

A man will face court today, charged after a pursuit with police in Maitland overnight.

About 1.35am (Tuesday 28 April 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, were patrolling the Rutherford area when they saw a Hyundai Tuscon on Harvey Road.

After turning on to the New England Highway, officers attempted to stop the Hyundai; however, it failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, travelling through several suburbs.

At the end of Wallace Street, South Maitland, the Hyundai drove through a timber fence and through the backyard of a home on Anzac Street, before colliding with a pole on Bloomfield Street.

The driver, an 18-year-old man, got out and ran away before being arrested by police, after a short struggle.

He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.

During a search of the car, officers allegedly located property, believed to have been stolen.

The man was later returned to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not m/v), and resist officer in execution of duty, and breach of bail.