Aaron Johansen charged after dramatic police chase through western Sydney
Dramatic footage of an arrest following a high speed chase in Sydney’s west has emerged, as the man allegedly behind the wheel faces court for the first time.
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Dramatic footage of police arresting a man in Sydney’s west following a high speed chase through multiple suburbs has emerged, as the man allegedly responsible faces court for the first time.
Aaron Johansen, 36, allegedly led police on a high-speed chase from Shalvey and through several neighbouring suburbs until it ended on the Great Western Hwy in Mount Druitt on Wednesday afternoon.
Dashcam footage of the arrest, which was shared to social media, shows a white Mitsubishi Outlander, allegedly driven by Johansen, at a set of lights on the Great Western Hwy on the corner of Carlisle Ave, Mount Druitt, before it attempted to reverse and is suddenly swarmed by police.
The footage shows police with batons attempting to smash the car’s windows as it attempts to mount a traffic island to get away, seemingly nicks an officer, and swipes a vehicle to its right.
The driver is eventually dragged from the vehicle and arrested on the ground next to it, while other drivers look on in shock.
Johansen was charged with causing a police pursuit and driving dangerously, using an offensive weapon to avoid arrest, driving unlicensed, resisting arrest, and supplying a prohibited drug.
An outstanding warrant for stealing charges was also executed.
He faced Penrith Local Court on Thursday from the Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, where he made an application for bail.
The court was told Johansen was allegedly spotted behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi Outlander in Shalvey and followed it before directing the driver to stop.
Police said in a statement on Wednesday, April 9, the car was supposed to be pulled over for a random breath test.
However, it allegedly accelerated and a high-speed chase ensued; with the Outlander allegedly travelling between 60 and 120 km/h while weaving in and out of traffic.
The court was told Pol-Air began tracking the car after 18 minutes, which was eventually tracked to the intersection of the Great Western Hwy and Carlisle Ave in Mount Druitt, where the dashcam footage captured the dramatic arrest.
The court was told Johansen allegedly resisted arrest and was tasered after lashing out at police.
A black satchel was also allegedly found in the car containing 13 grams of meth.
The court was told Johansen was on a community corrections order (CCO) for an earlier conviction of stealing $2000 worth of property from Haymarket at the time of the alleged police chase.
He also had several outstanding police warrants, including in other states.
His lawyer offered bail conditions including house arrest and daily reporting to police, but Magistrate Brian Van Zuylen found it was too risky to allow him back into the community.
Johansen was denied bail and remanded in custody to next face Penrith Local Court on April 17.
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