A man has been charged following a police pursuit through the Hunter overnight.
About 4.15am (Friday 16 July 2021), police were patrolling Kurri Kurri when they attempted to stop a white Holden Commodore ute for a random breath test.
The vehicle accelerated away from police and officers initiated a pursuit.
The pursuit continued for approximately 25km, allegedly reaching estimated speeds of 160km/hr in a sign-posted 100km/hr zone.
The ute turned onto Wine Country Drive before it stalled near the Tuckers Lane intersection and two people – a man and a woman – fled from the car on foot.
Officers pursued the pair on foot and a perimeter was established, with assistance from specialist units – including the Dog Unit. A short time later, the police dog ‘Muttley’ located a 35-year-old man hiding in shrubbery on Tuckers Lane.
The North Rothbury man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, use vehicle in contravention of major defect notice, and three counts of unlawfully possess number plates.
He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 16 July 2021), where he was formally bail refused to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 25 August 2021.
The woman was arrested, however pending further inquiries was released without charge.
Investigations are ongoing into the incident.