Benjamin Kellaway arrested at Fassifern railway station after two week hunt following Port Stephens chase

A man wanted after allegedly escaping a police net without any pants on – before a gun was found in an abandoned car – has been dramatically arrested a fortnight later at a train station more than 60km away.

Police and the dog squad at Fassifern Railway Station following the arrest of Benjamin Kellaway on February 27, 2025. Picture: Supplied.

It allegedly began with a car stolen from Queensland, continued into the state’s northern tablelands where fuel was stolen, meandered down to the edge of Port Stephens for a short pursuit and ended with a massive manhunt for a semi-naked man who had slipped a police net.

But a fortnight after the scrambling air and land search for the nude dude – and after officers allegedly found a gun inside the abandoned stolen car – a bevy of officers and the dog squad swarmed a train station more than 60km away and took Benjamin Kellaway into custody.

Eight days after the dramatic arrest at Fassifern railway station on February 27, it can be revealed at least six police vehicles full of officers, together with specialist police, converged on the Lake Macquarie station near Toronto and took Kellaway into custody.

It ended his alleged two-week sojourn in the public, with police alleging he was the man responsible for the fuel theft at Walcha, the pursuit along the Bucketts Way and the firearm found in the stolen car dumped near the Pacific Highway at Twelve Mile Ck.

Police had attempted to stop the blue Ford Falcon on The Bucketts Way at Booral about 8am on February 13 after inquiries allegedly revealed it had been stolen from Queensland and the driver had failed to pay for petrol at a Walcha service station earlier that day.

“When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated,” police alleged in a statement.

The alleged pursuits began along The Bucketts Way at Booral. Picture: Google Maps.

“The pursuit continued to a rest stop at Twelve Mile Creek where the driver exited the vehicle and entered bushland on foot.”

Officers, along with a police helicopter and members of the dog unit, unsuccessfully searched for the man while officers found a gun inside the Falcon.

The image police released during the manhunt. Picture: NSW Police

At the time, police released an image and description of a man they believed could “assist with enquiries”.

As well as noting he was of caucasian appearance, of thin build, about 165-175cm tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, police also revealed another fact regarding the wanted man.

“He was last seen wearing a black hat and black shirt with a large white motif, and is understood to be nude from the waist down,” police said.

Two weeks later, Kellaway was arrested at Fassifern railway station in front of shocked commuters about 2.40pm.

Police and the dog squad at Fassifern Railway Station following the arrest of Benjamin Kellaway on February 27, 2025. Picture: Supplied.

He was taken to Toronto police station and charged with seven offences including two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, and one count each of dishonestly obtaining property by deception; using, supplying, acquiring. possessing a stolen firearm or part; possessing ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, possessing an unauthorised firearm; and not keeping a firearm safely.

Kellaway was refused bail to appear before Toronto Local Court on February 28 where he was not required to enter any pleas.

He was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on March 10.