‘Shots fired’: Dramatic details in wild police chase through Sydney suburb
Police have issued a major update after a suspected gang-related incident led to chaotic scenes in a Sydney suburb, with police allegedly taking gunfire.
A man has been charged after an alleged break and enter in a south Sydney suburb, sparking a major police operation after police were allegedly fired upon during a pursuit.
Officers responded to reports of a man attempting to gain entry to a home on Calaria Cl in Edensor Park about 1.30am on Tuesday.
They were told two people – believed to be armed with a firearm – had left the scene in a Hyundai sedan.
The vehicle was later seen travelling on Cowpasture Rd in Hinchinbrook – allegedly leading police on a wild chase after it failed to stop.
Police will allege an occupant of the vehicle fired shots at a police vehicle during the pursuit. No officers were injured.
While the initial pursuit was abandoned, the same vehicle was allegedly stopped on St Andrews Rd in Varroville, following the successful deployment of road spikes about 1.50am.
The driver of the vehicle – a 20-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
The other male passenger fled the scene on foot.
“During a search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located and seized two pistols, an assault rifle, and other weapons. A number of spent cartridges were located and seized at the scene,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
The vehicle was also seized for forensic examination.
The 20-year-old man has been charged with nine offences, including special aggravated break & enter with intent – armed with dangerous weapon, take & drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, possess unauthorised pistol, possess loaded firearm public place, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess or use a military-style weapon without permit and armed with intent commit indictable offence.
He will front Paramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
In an earlier update, NSW Police said the passenger of the white Hyundai sedan allegedly leaned out the window and fired several gunshots towards a dog squad vehicle.
Officers described the “very dangerous situation” as being gang-related.
A short time later, the man and a passenger left the scene in a Hyundai sedan.
Specialist crews including the SWAT team, Dog Squad, Polair, specialist paramedics and armoured BearCat vehicle were on the scene.
Police confirmed at least two shots hit the vehicle, one hitting the wheel arch and the other puncturing the grill.
“Fortunately, the officer and the dog were uninjured,” deputy commissioner Thurtell said.
“This was a very dangerous situation where the lives of our police officers were put at risk.
Police conducted a thorough search for the man for several hours in the Varroville area and its surrounds, but he is yet to be identified or located.
“That search has now been ceased,” he said.
“Now we rely on our investigations to find out who that offender was.”
The passenger of the vehicle was last seen wearing a pair of black pants, black and white shoes and a black hoodie.
Authorities also conducted a search of the vehicle, where they found a number of firearms and other weapons, including the handgun believed to be involved in the shooting during the police pursuit.
NSW Police confirmed the arrested 20-year-old man driving the vehicle was known to police, as is the resident of the Edensor Park property.
It’s understood both have affiliations to the organised crime network.
“With the affiliation of the resident of the premises, we can only speculate that it’s gang-related,” deputy commissioner Thurtell said.
NSW Police confirmed the arrested man was not co-operating with police, prompting authorities to launch a strike force to identify and locate the second offender.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, police cordoned off St Andrews Rd in Varroville, approximately 46km southwest of the city’s CBD, with a police roadblock.
“There is a large police presence in the area,” a statement from NSW Police read.
The public have been urged to stay away from St Andrews Rd in Varroville while the operation continues.
Online, parents have been urged to keep their children inside while the operation continues.
NSW Police do not believe the public is in immediate danger, though they have been advised to be aware of their surroundings.
“Don’t approach anybody they may suspect may be involved,” deputy commissioner Thurtell said.
“(However), we believe this is a targeted incident at the residence … so I don’t think there’s concern for the general community.”
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