Raptor Squad Officers Charge Woman Following Alleged Pursuit Through Hunter

Raptor Squad officers have charged a 48-year-old woman with multiple driving offences after an alleged high-speed pursuit through the Hunter Region yesterday.

Around 11:30 am on Thursday, 22 August 2024, officers from the State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad attempted to stop a reportedly stolen Subaru sedan travelling on Government Road, Weston.

When the driver allegedly failed to comply, officers initiated a pursuit, with the vehicle reportedly reaching speeds of 130 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The chase ended when the car’s tyre blew out, causing it to hit a gutter on Swanson Street.

The woman allegedly attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by officers and taken to Cessnock Police Station. She was subsequently charged with the following offences:

• Driving a conveyance taken without the owner’s consent
• Possessing goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen (motor vehicle)
• Failing to stop for police during a pursuit and driving dangerously
• Reckless or furious driving at speed or in a manner dangerous
• Possessing goods in custody suspected of being stolen (not a motor vehicle)
• Operating an unregistered class A motor vehicle on the road
• Using a class A vehicle displaying misleading registration

The woman was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.