M5 East Tunnel carjacker charged after wild 60km police pursuit

A police dog who received minor ­injuries after an alleged carjacker attempted to stab him got some of his own back during a dramatic arrest in the M5 East tunnel

This is Chief, the hero police dog who survived an alleged stabbing attack before bringing to heel a carjacker who led police on a dramatic 60km pursuit across Sydney’s southwest.

Police allege Ryan John Harris, 33, attempted to stab Chief when he was finally apprehended on the M5 east on Wednesday.

The police dog received minor ­injuries but also got some of his own back, with Harris taken to hospital for a gunshot wound to the leg and treatment for dog bites, courtesy of the Chief.

PD Chief, the police dog who assisted with the arrest sustained minor injuries. Picture: Twitter/ NSW Police

NSW Police yesterday shared this image of Chief, stating: “During the arrest, both Chief and a human colleague sustained minor injuries, however we’re happy to report that both are OK”.

Chief was previously recognised for his work fighting crime when he helped arrest a car thief at Mascot and two alleged robbers in Concord over two days.

The stolen blue Subaru Impreza was allegedly used to ram a police vehicle multiple times at the Narellan service station. Picture: TNV

A man is facing a slew of charges after an alleged carjacking and a dramatic arrest in the M5 East Tunnel on Wednesday. Picture: TNV

NSW Police congratulated the “newly accredited’’ Chief for his ­efforts.

“Great work Chief and we are sure we will hear about a lot more about your great work around Sydney helping fight crime,” an online post read.

As for Harris, he appeared in Central Local Court yesterday via video link from his hospital bed where he faced 22 offences relating to carjacking two vehicles with a weapon, assaulting police and dangerous driving.

Harris, from Ambarvale, is accused of ramming police with a stolen Subaru before stealing two more cars from their owners as he drove from Rosemeadow to Arncliffevia the M5.

He allegedly threatened customers with a machete at a service station ­before he was shot in the leg by police, but managed to avoid arrest at that stage.

Police helicopters and officers on the ground tracked the vehicle until it stopped in the M5 East tunnel, at the Marsh Street exit, just after 11.15am.

Multiple units including the dog squad approached the driver, who was tasered following a struggle during his arrest.

He was refused bail yesterday to reappear in court this month.