Police car hit in chase near Woolgoolga, man arrested in Coffs

Several vehicles were sideswiped before a 20-year-old fled on foot. Some had to be towed from the scene.

A Queensland man has been arrested after allegedly fleeing police in Coffs Harbour on Thursday.

A number of cars, including an unmarked police vehicle, were sideswiped during a pursuit which started near Woolgoolga on Thursday.

Police will allege they detected a silver Ford Falcon travelling almost 170km/h in a 110km/h area on the Pacific Highway near Woolgoolga about 8.45am.

Officers started to pursue the vehicle but stopped due to safety concerns.

According to police the Ford was allegedly driven in a dangerous manner and at speed, weaving in and out of lanes before side swiping a blue BMW sedan near James Small Drive in Korora.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended to treat the female driver of the BMW for shock.

A short time later, police approached the same car at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Orlando Street in Coffs Harbour before the Ford allegedly veered into an unmarked police car.

The driver allegedly then fled on foot.

A 20-year-old man was arrested nearby and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with:

– Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously

– Exceed speed limit (greater than 45 km per hour)

– Destroy or damage property

– Two charges of dishonestly obtaining property by deception

– Use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention

Police will allege in court the driver had earlier failed to pay for petrol at a service station in Byron Bay.

The man – from Kippa-Ring in Queensland – was refused bail and will appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Friday.

The unmarked police car and the Ford sustained significant damage and required towing.