A 22-year-old Hunter man has been refused bail after an alleged police pursuit through Beresfield came to a dead end at a local cemetery on Tuesday morning.

About 8:38am, officers attached to Strike Force Puma spotted an orange KTM Duke 200 motorcycle travelling on Beresford Drive without a number plate.

Police allege the rider failed to stop when directed, triggering a pursuit along Anderson Drive. During the chase, the rider allegedly drove in a manner intended to evade police.

The pursuit ended when the motorcycle entered the car park of Newcastle Memorial Park. Police allege the rider abandoned the bike and attempted to flee on foot before being arrested.

Checks allegedly revealed the motorcycle had been unregistered since April 2026 and was reported stolen in September 2025.

The 22-year-old Woodberry man returned a positive roadside drug test for cannabis and methamphetamine.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with police pursuit – fail to stop – drive dangerously, drive conveyance taken without the owner’s consent, unlicensed driving, using an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle, and refusing to state his name and address.

He was refused bail and is due to appear before Maitland Local Court. Further charges are expected pending analysis of the drug sample.