BY JESSICA ROUSE
The man at the centre of the dramatic police chase across the Hunter heads to court today on a dozen charges.
Just after 10am yesterday police allege they attempted to pull the 22-year-old over in Wallsend but he refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
Police chased the man to the Hunter Expressway where they terminated the chase for a short time for safety reasons. Officers spotted him not long after driving on the Expressway on the wrong side of the road and gave chase for a second time.
The man managed to avoid to deployments of road spikes by police and then drove to Newcastle Link Road and then onto the M1 Pacific Motorway. It’s here police allege he forced a vehicle off the road by colliding with it and then attempted and failed to “car jack” it.
He then successfully stole a white Audi Sedan allegedly armed with an edged weapon and took off.
Police in the area initiated another chase, but had to terminate not long after when the 22-year-old crossed to the wrong side of the Motorway.
Once he reached the Dora Creek Bridge, he tried and failed to “car jack” another three vehicles.
This is where police caught up with the man and tried to arrest him. The 22-year-old rammed into an unmarked police vehicle which caused minor injuries to two officers. But thankfully with the help of other officers the man was finally arrested at the scene.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station and slapped with a dozen charges: take detain person with intent to obtain advantage,
armed
with intent to commit an indictable offence, drive motor vehicle during
disqualification period, aggravated take drive vehicle whilst armed with offensive
weapon, resist officer in execution of duty, intentionally choke person with
recklessness, common assault, display unauthorised registration plates, and a
warrant for revocation of parole.
The 22-year-old was originally wanted for Domestic Violence matters.
He was refused bail and faces Toronto Local Court today.