Man faces court after dangerous car chase across towns
The chase went on for hours across Ballina, Alstonville, Lismore and Goonellabah.
Police & Courts
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Update January 16, 9.30pm: A man has faced court after allegedly leading police on a pursuit across the Northern Rivers.
Before 10.15am on Friday, January 15, officers attached to Richmond Police District were notified after a white Mitsubishi Mirage was stolen near a shopping centre on Kerr Street, Ballina.
Officers located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit which was terminated a short time later due to the dangerous manner of driving, NSW Police confirmed.
About 10 minutes later, the Mitsubishi was abandoned when the driver allegedly attempted to carjack a second vehicle before stealing a nearby Kia Rio.
Police will allege the Kia Rio continued to drive in an erratic and dangerous manner for two hours through several suburbs, including Ballina, Alstonville, Goonellabah and Lismore.
It is further alleged the driver continued onto the wrong side of the road and drove onto the footpath in the path of pedestrians at several occasions. It's understood the Kia Rio was involved in numerous minor collisions during this two-hour period - there are no reports of injuries to members of the public.
A number of pursuits were initiated and road spikes deployed by officers from Richmond Police District and the Traffic and Highway Patrol, before the Kia Rio was located abandoned and crashed into a fence at Ravenswood Drive, Goonellabah.
Officers from Richmond Police District and the Police Dog Unit established a perimeter to locate the driver.
About 12.40pm, officers located and arrested a man on Bellara Court whilst he was allegedly attempting to steal two other vehicles.
He is currently at Lismore Police Station where he was charged with;
• Take & drive conveyance w/o consent of owner (four counts)
• Agg take/drive m/v with person in/on it-inflict ABH
• Never licensed person drive vehicle on road - prior offence
• Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously (two counts)
• Aggravated robbery and use corporal violence
• Aggravated enter dwelling w/i - inflict ABH-SI
• Resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty (two counts)
• Possess prohibited drug
• Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
The Ballina man was refused bail.
Original story: Police have apprehended a man after a dangerous chase involving a stolen car that crossed Ballina, Alstonville, Lismore and Goonellabah.
Police will allege the man stole and drove multiple vehicles, including a Kia Rio which was involved in several minor collisions, before abandoning them.
Shortly before 10.15am, police were notified after a white Mitsubishi Mirage was stolen near a shopping centre on Kerr Street, Ballina.
Officers located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit which was terminated a short time later, due to dangerous driving.
The Mitsubishi was abandoned and then the man allegedly attempted to carjack a second vehicle, before stealing a nearby Kia Rio.
Police will allege the Kia Rio continued to drive in an erratic and dangerous manner for two hours through several suburbs, including Ballina, Alstonville, Goonellabah and Lismore.
It is further alleged the man also drove on the wrong side of the road and onto the footpath near pedestrians at several occasions.
It's understood the Kia Rio was involved in numerous minor collisions during this two-hour period - there are no reports of injuries to members of the public.
A number of pursuits were initiated and road spikes deployed by officers from Richmond Police District and the Traffic and Highway Patrol, before the Kia Rio was located abandoned and crashed into a fence at Ravenswood Drive, Goonellabah.
Officers from Richmond Police District and the Police Dog Unit established a perimeter to locate the driver.
About 12.40pm, officers located and arrested a man on Bellara Court while he was allegedly attempting to steal two other vehicles.
He is currently at Lismore Police Station where he is expected to be charged with serious driving offences.
As police continue their inquiries, officers are urging anyone who may have mobile phone vision or dashcam footage to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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