A 26-year-old police officer has been handed five driving-related charges. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
An off-duty policeman has been arrested over an alleged car chase that only ended when other officers blew out his tyres to stop him.
A NSW Police spokesperson said officers allegedly saw a Mercedes-Benz speeding at over the 110 km/h limit on the Hume Highway at Goulburn around 10:20 am on Friday (26 June).
When its driver allegedly failed to stop for the officers, they chased it.
The police spokesperson said the chase lasted for about 65 km before tyre-deflation devices were successfully deployed on the Mercedes near the Federal Highway at Yarra.
Other officers had also been in the process of deploying a second tyre-deflation device nearby when the Mercedes’ driver allegedly swerved near them, before correcting and driving away.
“This action caused the deploying police to abort the deployment and fear for their safety, effectively preventing a further attempt at apprehension,” the police spokesperson alleged.
The spokesperson said the Mercedes soon became disabled and stopped on the Federal Highway at Sutton.
The alleged driver, a 26-year-old male off-duty officer attached to the Southern West Metropolitan Region, was arrested and handed five charges.
“The officer’s driver’s licence was suspended by police. The officer is currently suspended without pay,” the police spokesperson said.
The man faced the NSW Local Court on Saturday (27 June) where he was granted bail on strict conditions.
These conditions included living at an address in Croydon Park in Sydney, to only leave the address for medical, legal or court appointments, and to surrender his passports.
He is also not allowed to use alcohol or drugs and cannot drive.
The matter was adjourned to the Goulburn Local Court on 15 July.
The man has been charged with police pursuit, driving recklessly/furiously, speeding by more than 45 km/h, using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.
