Taree police chopper and dog search ends in arrest at train station

A police chopper flying low over a Mid-North Coast town on Wednesday afternoon had the rumour mill in overdrive. See what it was all about.

The police chopper was flying low over Taree on Wednesdy afternoon, February 15. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

A police helicopter flying low over Taree for well over an hour on Wednesday afternoon had the rumour mill in overdrive.

People took to social media to say somebody had busted out of the local court house.

Police sirens could also be heard around town for several hours and many people reported seeing a man arrested at Taree train station with the assistance of the police dog unit.

Around 6.30pm a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed an arrest was made near the station on Olympia Street and issued the following statement.

“About 12.30pm on Wednesday police from Manning-Great Lakes Police District were conducting high-visibility patrols at a supermarket on Manning Street, Taree, when they allegedly saw a man shoplifting,” the spokesperson said.

“Upon sighting police, the man allegedly fled the scene, and officers initiated a foot pursuit after the man.

“POLAIR and the Police Dog Unit, who were also conducting patrols in the area at the time, assisted the officers and the alleged offender was arrested a short time later near a train station.”

The 33-year-old man was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with larceny, and two counts of enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse.

He was refused bail to appear before Taree Local Court on Thursday, February 16.