Twelve Mile Ck: Air and ground search fails to find suspect after chase on The Bucketts Way at Booral

A bush manhunt by cops on foot and in the air north of Newcastle has failed to find any trace of a pantless driver wanted after officers recovered a gun from a stolen car.

The pursuit began on The Bucketts Way at Booral. Picture: Google Maps.

A bush manhunt by police on foot and in the air has failed to find any trace of a semi-naked driver wanted after officers recovered a gun from a stolen car which had led them on a chase along a busy rural road north of Newcastle.

Authorities have also issued an image of a man they believe could assist with their enquiries after the blue Ford Falcon, stolen from Queensland, had been driven off after failing to pay for fuel at Walcha earlier in the day.

Police said officers attempted to stop the Falcon on The Bucketts Way at Booral - some 170km away from the Walcha service station - about 8am on Thursday.

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

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

Police have released an image of a man they believe could assist with their enquiries into the pursuit. Picture: NSW Police

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.

“As inquiries continue, police have released an image and description of a man they believe can assist with inquiries,” the police statement said.

“He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of thin build, about 165-175cm tall, with brown hair and brown eyes.

“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 have wanted the public not to approach the suspect and instead immediately call triple-0.