Jacob Robinson charged over high speed chase from Aarons Pass to Dunedoo
Two men have been charged after allegedly leading police on separate, wild chases across the central west and hunter regions, including one chase from Aarons Pass to Dunedoo.
A man in the state’s central west has been charged after allegedly leading police on a wild car chase twice over the King’s Birthday weekend.
Jacob Robinson, 31, was arrested more than 120km down the road after an alleged pursuit which started on Castlereagh Highway, Aarons Pass.
Police allege Robinson was driving a stolen 4WD and failed to stop, leading them on a chase until they abandoned it due to safety concerns.
A second chase in Dunedoo was launched when police spotted the car again, with Robinson allegedly driving the vehicle onto private property and through multiple wire fences.
He’s been charged with take and drive conveyance without consent, exceeding the speed limit by more than 20km/h, drive recklessly/furiously, negligent driving, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, destroy or damage property, resist officer in the execution of duty and possessing a prohibited drug.
Robinson appeared before the Parramatta Local Court on June 7.
In a separate incident in the Hunter region on June 7, Olson Smart, 27, is alleged to have led officers on a chase for 190km before police terminated it due to safety concerns near Broke.
Police allege the pursuit started on Weakleys Dr, Beresfield when Robinson’s sedan failed to stop at a red light.
PolAir continued to monitor the vehicle from the air, with the sedan eventually being stopped on the New England Highway at Whittingham.
Smart was arrested and charged with several offences including police pursuit – not stopping – driving dangerously, exceeding the speed limit greater than 20km/h, and take and drive conveyance without the consent of the owner.
NSW Police launched a statewide traffic operation across the long weekend, with double demerit points dished out to offenders.
Over the four days, police witnessed a rising number of what they stated to be “dangerous driving incidents” such as excessive speed, high-range drink-driving, and reckless driving.
Between 12am June 6 to 11.59pm June 9, police issued 4032 speed infringements, conducted 202,762 breath tests with 275 people charged with drink-driving, 655 positive roadside drug detections after 9,551 random drug tests conducted, and attended 287 major crashes, which left 75 people injured.
In addition, police issued 399 mobile phone infringements, 221 seatbelt infringements and 6,665 other infringements.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver, said while a majority of drivers followed the rules over the long weekend, some continued to break them and posed a risk to others.
“Over the past few days of the King’s birthday long weekend, we have seen three people lose their lives and 75 people injured on our roads,” he said.
“Motor vehicle crashes are preventable, however when they occur lives can be lost, and others permanently changed.
“I want to really reiterate the message that driving is a high-risk activity, and all road users need to drive their vehicle with care and attention, and importantly adhere to the road rules.”
