James Carlson charged with slew of offences after allegedly ramming cop car in wild rural pursuit

A Northern Rivers man allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of tools before damaging vehicles and ramming a cop car during a wild rural pursuit before police allegedly found ammunition in a stolen car.

Police have charged a man with multiple counts of larceny, property damage, unauthorised vehicle use, reckless driving, driving while disqualified, weapon use, police obstruction, and possession of ammunition without a licence after a wild rural pursuit.

A Northern Rivers man allegedly who stole mechanical hand and power tools, destroyed two four-wheel drives then rammed a police vehicle in a stolen LandCruiser to thwart his arrest was also allegedly found with illegal ammunition.

James Carlson, 32, of Old Grevillia, 27km north west of Kyogle, faced Magistrate Michael Dakin in Lismore Local Court on Monday.

He is charged with two counts of larceny, two counts of destroy or damage property, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, and enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence.

He is further charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (second offence), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (second offence), and use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.

Police have also charged him with hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of their duty, using a class A vehicle displaying misleading number-plate, and possessing ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.

A man allegedly damaged or destroyed a Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Xtrail before a wild police pursuit found him with illegal ammunition. (File picture)

The court heard Carlson allegedly entered the grounds of Casino business FEDC between 4am and 6am on April 7 and stole $1000 worth of mechanics hand tools.

Police will allege Carlson also stole $1000 worth of hand and power tools before damaging and or destroying a Toyota LandCruiser.

Police pursued a man in an alleged stolen Toyota LandCruiser at Wiangaree in April.

Carlson is also accused of damaging a Nissan Xtrail before stealing another LandCruiser owned by a third man.

A week later, police allege between 8.10am and 9am on April 16, at Wiangaree, 47km north of Casino, Carlson drove a white Toyota LandCruiser knowing police were pursuing him.

Police allege he knew he was required to stop but instead drove the vehicle recklessly.

The LandCruiser was also displaying incorrect and misleading number plates, the court heard.

James Carlson has been refused bail after allegedly leading police on a pursuit and then ramming a police car. Picture: Traffic & Highway Patrol Command

It is alleged Carlson rammed a police vehicle in attempts to avoid arrest and hindered police in their duty to apprehend him.

Police will also allege in court that between 8.10am and 9am on April 16, at Toonumber, 50km west of Kyogle, Carlson did possess ammunition for a firearm without holding a licence or permit for a firearm that takes that ammunition.

Carlson did not apply for bail and it was refused by the court.

He is scheduled for further mention in Lismore Local Court on May 12.

Originally published as James Carlson charged with slew of offences after allegedly ramming cop car in wild rural pursuit