Amir Avdic: Mechanic in high-speed police pursuit fronts Sutherland court

An RFS mechanic whose licence is disqualified until 2041 led police on a dangerous pursuit, allegedly reaching speeds more than double the limit through Sydney’s south.

An RFS mechanic who is disqualified from driving for decades has admitted he led police on a dangerous motorcycle chase, at times allegedly going double the speed limit.

Amir Avdic, 38, was arrested on Monday night after PolAir and a dog unit tracked him to a garage in Sutherland after pursuing cops lost sight of him.

He appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday where he was refused bail over a range of driving and drug offences.

The Sutherland man pleaded guilty to charge of a police pursuit, driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period and using a vehicle without unauthorised number plates affixed.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of driving more than an estimated 45km/h over the speed limit, driving in a dangerous manner, using an unregistered motor vehicle, resisting arrest and two counts of possessing prohibited drugs.

Police officers allegedly detected Amir Avdic travelling 130km/h in a signposted 90km/h zone before they initiated pursuit as he turned onto New Illawarra Rd at Lucas Heights. Picture: Google Maps

In a police statement of facts tendered to court, Avdic was riding a KTM Duke motorcycle with homemade number plates along Heathcote Rd at Menai about 10.15pm.

Police officers allegedly detected him travelling 130km/h in a signposted 90km/h zone.

They attempted to stop him once he turned onto New Illawarra Rd at Lucas Heights, he did not comply and a pursuit was initiated, court documents said.

Avdic allegedly travelled 120km/h along the road in a 80km/h zone and overtook a car by passing over an island, at times allegedly reaching up to 140km/h.

Avdic slowed down upon reaching an intersection of Menai Rd but went through a red traffic light before reaching 120km/h in a 60 zone, at one point reaching 130km/h, police alleged in court documents.

He hit a dead end before he left the road, went down a narrow footpath at which point the police lost sight of him.

Police allege Polair tracked Avdic along the Bangor Bypass and into a block of units on Auburn Street at Sutherland.

A dog unit was called in before Avdic was allegedly tracked to a locked garage where he allegedly refused to be handcuffed but was arrested shortly after.

Avdic was taken to Sutherland Police Station where checks revealed the number plates were not correct and the bike was allegedly unregistered.

Amir Avdic was refused bail in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

Police also allegedly seized cannabis leaf, a bong, more cannabis, an ice pipe and a plastic bag containing a crystal substance believed to be meth.

Police discovered Avdic was disqualified from driving from 2014 until 2041.

He allegedly told police, “I don’t have a licence and didn’t want to get into trouble”, the documents said.

In court, Avdic’s lawyer said his client had stable accommodation with his sister at his home in Sutherland, and worked at Kirrawee repairing and building Rural Fire Service trucks because he was a qualified mechanic.

His mother could also offer a $1000 surety but the court heard Avdic had a lengthy criminal record including for driving offences which saw previously serve jail time.

The court also heard Avdic suffered PTSD after growing up witnessing war in Bosnia before he and his family came to Australia.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart did not believe those bail conditions could ameliorate the risks to the community, noting his extensive driving record which included five major offences. Avdic was refused bail.

The case was adjourned to October.