Further charges laid against teenagers after ute pursuit on New England Highway, Singleton

Three teenagers’ 70-kilometre flight in a ute allegedly stolen from an elderly man ended when they hit roadspikes near Newcastle. Here’s the latest.

The chase ended when road spikes were deloyed in North Lambton.

Three teenagers have been charged with robbery in company after flagging down a 73-year-old man at Blandford and allegedly making off in his ute.

Police will claim the alleged carjacking took place at 1am on Thursday, and officers patrolling the New England Highway tried to stop the vehicle a short time later at Singleton.

When the driver failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated, continuing towards Newcastle.

The chase ended when road spikes were deployed in North Lambton.

The alleged driver, a 17-year-old boy, has been charged with robbery in company, and police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly. The passengers, a boy and a girl aged 16, were charged with robbery in company, and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

Police patrolling the New England Highway at Singleton tried to stop the ute before initiating a pursuit.

Following inquiries, additional charges were laid.

The 17-year-old was issued a court attendance notice for aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-in company, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously and assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon.

The 16-year-old boy faces charges of aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-in company, assault with intent to rob armed with offensive weapon and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

And the girl is charged with carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

Police will claim in court these charges relate to two other incidents overnight on Tuesday, including an alleged armed robbery and pursuit at South Tamworth, and an alleged attempted armed robbery at Willow Tree.

The teens have been refused bail to face children’s court.