Covid-positive Mason Sheaffe led police on high speed chase in stolen car in Wollongong, Wagga Wagga

A Covid-positive teen took police on a high speed chase driving a stolen car in rural NSW, only months after he drove off with a cop’s arm trapped in his car window.

A Covid-positive teen has pleaded guilty to leading police on a zig-zagging high speed chase through a rural town in a stolen car, only months after he drove off with a cop’s arm trapped in his car window.

Mason Sheaffe, 18, appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to a long list of 18 charges related to negligent driving, stealing a car, and failing to comply with Covid restrictions and the directions of police officers.

According to court documents, the Dapto resident was driving along Market St in Wollongong on July 27 when police in an unmarked car noticed he was changing lanes sharply and possibly speeding. Police facts show officers pulled Sheaffe over for a random breath test and he told them he was a P-plater who left his licence at home.

Mason Sheaffe drove off while a police officer’s arm was trapped in his car window. Picture: Lillian Watkins

After Sheaffe returned a positive breath test result, police facts show he reached for the keys in the ignition while the officer reached for his arm to stop him. According to the facts, the officer’s arm was trapped in the window as the teen accelerated as the cop struggled to free himself.

Sheaffe, who wasn’t wearing a mask at the time of the offence, turned himself into police the next day at his father’s urging.

Two months later, police facts show Sheaffe illegally left Wollongong, in the Greater Sydney lockdown zone, to visit Wagga. According to the police facts, the teen came to the attention of police when he passed a patrol car and revved his engine, showing off an apparently defective exhaust.

Police pulled Sheaffe over and were approaching the car on foot when the teen sped off onto the Hume Highway and hte officers began chasing him, according to the facts.

Police facts show Sheaffe reached speeds of up to 140km/h in a 110km/h zone and performed two screeching U-turns to change direction on the highway, one of which traversed the grass median.

Mason Sheaffe was listed to appear at Goulburn Court House on October 13. Picture: Craig Dunlop

According to the facts, when the P-plater tried to perform a third U-turn, he found a stationary vehicle in the way, which he narrowly missed and crashed into a sign. After driving onto a gravel road and back to the highway, police facts show Sheaffe’s Mitsubishi Lancer had a flat tyre and an oil leak.

Police facts show he drove back to the stationary vehicle, got out of his car and ran towards it, but police intervened. The facts show police had to forcefully push the teen to the ground to arrest him.

When asked why he tried to flee, Sheaffe told police: “I got nervous”. A search of the car uncovered stolen licence plates and three hunting knives, according to police.

According to the facts, police then discovered the car was stolen and Sheaffe’s licence was suspended.

While he was in custody, police noted the teen was displaying flu-like symptoms and a high temperature. He was taken to Wagga Wagga hospital, where he tested positive for Covid.

Police were scathing in their assessment of the apprentice carpenter.

“The accused appears to have no regard to current public health concerns or the safety of road users,” the facts state.

Sheaffe is due to appear in Goulburn Local Court for sentencing on November 24.