14 September 2021

Stolen car allegedly driven at police during Riverina pursuit

| Kim Treasure
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A police officer has been injured in an accident overnight.

A police pursuit has ended with charges against two people. Photo: File.

Wagga Wagga Local Court is expected to hear allegations a car stolen from Cootamundra was used to drive at police during a pursuit on the weekend.

About 9:30 pm on Sunday 12 September 2021, officers from Riverina Highway Patrol were patrolling west along Red Hill Road, Tolland, when they saw a stolen grey Ford Territory travelling in the opposite direction.

Officers attempted to stop the car and when it failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle was chased through various Wagga Wagga suburbs for about 30 minutes before the pursuit was terminated for safety reasons.

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A second chase started when the vehicle was sighted about 30 minutes later and again failed to stop.

During the pursuit, officers deployed tyre deflation devices.

As the vehicle was travelling along Grants Lane, Temora, it rammed a fence and was driven through a paddock before driving into a dam.

The 37-year-old male driver and 26-year-old female passenger ran from the vehicle and were arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station.

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It will be alleged in court that during the incident the car drove towards a police vehicle narrowly missing it.

Inquiries established that the vehicle had been stolen from Cootamundra on Tuesday 7 September 2021.

The man has been charged with three counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful consent, destroy or damage property and revocation of parole. He was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court this week.

The woman has been charged with being carried in a conveyance taken without consent of owner. She has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 27 October 2021.

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