A 13-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly leading police on a high-speed pursuit and stealing multiple vehicles in the Hunter Region. The pursuit, which unfolded in Raymond Terrace and Maitland, saw the stolen car reach speeds of 150 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, raising serious concerns about road safety and police procedures.
The incident began around 11:55 PM on Saturday, 15 March 2025, when emergency services responded to a crash on Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace. Police arrived to find a Mitsubishi utility had collided with an unoccupied Toyota utility. The Mitsubishi was reportedly stolen from a Tenambit home, and a group of young offenders fled the scene before officers arrived.
Hours later, at 3:30 AM on Sunday, 16 March, police were called to Joseph Sheen Drive, Raymond Terrace, following reports of another vehicle theft. A Nissan SUV had been stolen by two young offenders, and police launched an immediate investigation.
Later that morning, at 10:10 AM, officers located the stolen Nissan SUV traveling along the New England Highway in East Maitland. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly failed to comply, sparking a high-speed chase through Rutherford, Farley, Telarah, and Bishops Bridge.
The stolen SUV reportedly reached speeds of 150 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, creating a serious risk to other motorists. The chase came to an end on Old Maitland Road, Sawyers Gully, where the two occupants abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested nearby and dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
Following further police investigations, a 13-year-old boy was arrested at Maitland Police Station on Tuesday, 18 March 2025. He has been charged with multiple offenses, including:
- Driving a stolen vehicle
- Being a passenger in a stolen vehicle
- Failing to stop for police during a pursuit
- Trespassing
- Resisting arrest
Police allege the 13-year-old was the driver of the stolen Nissan SUV and a passenger in the stolen Mitsubishi utility involved in the earlier crash.
The teen was granted strict conditional bail and is set to appear before a Children’s Court on Wednesday, 16 April 2025.
The police pursuit and its outcome have sparked public debate, with some residents questioning why police did not use forceful measures to stop the vehicle sooner. The cautious approach taken by officers has been defended as a way to minimize risks given the young age of the offenders and the potential for harm to the public.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
