PLEASE NOTE: Images of the arrest can be found via Hightail
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/JkteW8MdN8
A man has been charged with 24 offences following an alleged pursuit in the Illawarra.
About 3am yesterday (Wednesday 29 May 2024), police were called to a home in Lombard Avenue, Fairy Meadow, following reports of a man allegedly trespassing.
Officers attached to Wollongong Police District attended and found a man in a Mazda 3 sedan which had been reported as stolen.
When police attempted to approach the vehicle the man allegedly drove off.
Officers attempted to stop the car, however when it failed to respond a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle continued towards Balgownie, before hitting a gutter and stopping on Russell Street, Balgownie.
The 18-year-old male driver was arrested at the scene and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
He was charged with 24 offences:
– police pursuit-not stop-drive at speed
– drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
– two counts of never licensed person drive on road
– Break & Enter house etc steal value
– Break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent
– two counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence
– two counts of aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-peoplethere
– two counts of take & drive conveyance without consent
– two counts of destroy or damage property
– enter building/land without commit indictable offence
– two counts of larceny
– three counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception
– two counts never licensed person drive vehicle on road
– not give particulars to other driver
– disobey left turn only sign-motor vehicle.
He appeared in Wollongong Court yesterday (Wednesday 29 May 2024) and was refused bail, to reappear in the same court on Wednesday 5 June 2024.
Police will allege the man was involved in a number of break and enters and car thefts across the Wollongong, Lake Illawarra and Hume Police Districts.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
