Coby Reinhard sentenced for dangerous police pursuit in Cronulla

A teenager who led police on a high-speed chase through residential streets in Sydney’s south “panicked” when he saw police in a Cronulla carpark.

Coby Reinhard, 19, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday for engaging in a police pursuit and disobeying a no entry sign. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A teenager told his mum police “were chasing me” after he led them on a dangerous pursuit through residential streets in Sydney’s south.

Coby Reinhard, 19, of Kurnell, was sentenced for his role in the pursuit at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.

According to facts tendered to the court, police were patrolling Mitchell Road, Cronulla, about 5.15pm when they saw Reinhard, then aged 18, parked in the Greenhills car park in a Holden Commodore.

Reinhard reversed and accelerated harshly through the car park, and police followed in an attempt to conduct a random breath test but quickly lost sight of his car.

He was spotted again near Bando Road in “wet and dark” conditions, where he went around a roundabout and drove the wrong way down a one-way street, disobeying a no-entry sign.

Police activated lights and sirens, but Reinhard didn’t stop and a pursuit was started.

Reinhard accelerated southbound into oncoming cars, causing two drivers to pull over.

Police say Reinhard reached speeds of 80km/h in 50km/h zones, and the pursuit was stopped for safety reasons on Kurnell Road where police once again lost sight of his car.

A police check on the registration of the Holden Commodore revealed Reinhard’s name and address.

Reinhard was arrested at his house where he told his mother police “were chasing me”.

In court, Reinhard’s lawyer Urania Zafiris said her client had learning difficulties and was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and oppositional defiant disorder at six years old.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart said Coby Reinhard’s offence was “serious”.

She said Reinhard was being treated by his doctor and on medication.

Ms Zafiris said Reinhard had previous “unfavourable” interactions with police that caused him to panic on the day of the incident.

She said his disorders meant he struggled to manage his compulsions.

Ms Zafiris told the court police “stormed” Reinhard’s home and searched for him which was traumatic for him and his family before he was handcuffed and taken to the police station.

The court also heard Reinhard was subjected to almost nightly bail condition checks.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart took into account Reinhard’s age, previous driving matters on his record and his difficulties in life.

He noted police pursuits were prevalent in the community and put people at risk.

Mr Stewart said the offence was serious and convicted Reinhard for engaging in a police pursuit and disobeying a no-entry sign.

Reinhard was placed on a conditional release order and disqualified from driving for 12 months.