Wild Chase at Tanilba Bay: Woman Tries to Escape Police by Swimming, Threatens Officers with Syringe

In the early hours of Friday, 4 October 2024, police from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling the Tanilba Bay foreshore when they encountered a 27-year-old woman wanted for alleged domestic violence offences. As officers approached, the woman made a dramatic attempt to evade arrest by swimming into the bay.

After a brief time in the water, the woman returned to shore but continued her escape by running to Tanilba Park, where she allegedly threatened police with a syringe. Following negotiations, the woman was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.

She has been charged with three counts of destroy or damage property (domestic violence), stalking or intimidating to cause fear, and using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention. She has been refused bail and will appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court today.