Police Pursuit Ends in Dramatic Arrest at Greenhills McDonald’s Carpark

UPDATE 1/11/2024 – A 37-year-old man is facing a series of charges in Maitland Local Court today following an alleged police pursuit through Thornton that ended with a crash in East Maitland. The incident, which took place around midday on Thursday, 31 October 2024, saw officers from Raptor North attempt to stop a vehicle over concerns about its erratic driving. The driver allegedly refused to pull over, triggering a pursuit that came to a chaotic halt on Molly Morgan Drive, where the vehicle collided with multiple cars at a shopping centre. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash. Following the arrest, police reportedly discovered a quantity of suspected methylamphetamine on the man. He has been charged with multiple offences, including reckless driving and drug possession, and was denied bail ahead of his court appearance today.

Yesterday’s Report:

A midday police pursuit through the streets of East Maitland today culminated in a dramatic arrest at the McDonalds opposite the Greenhills Shopping Centre, causing a stir among local shoppers and workers.

Around 12 pm on Thursday, officers from Raptor North attempted to stop a vehicle in Thornton due to concerning driving behaviour. When the driver allegedly failed to comply, a pursuit ensued, heading towards East Maitland.

The chase progressed along Molly Morgan Drive, with the vehicle reportedly speeding through several suburbs. Upon reaching the vicinity of Greenhills Shopping Centre, the pursued vehicle allegedly collided with multiple cars in the shopping centre’s carpark, creating a scene of chaos and concern.

“The car sped right past me, followed closely by police,” recalled local resident Bel Lawton. “It was surreal and quite frightening to witness.”

Police swiftly apprehended the driver, a 37-year-old man, nearby. He was taken to Maitland Police Station and is assisting with inquiries. Authorities have confirmed that a male passenger fled the scene and remains at large. No injuries have been reported from the incident.

Witnesses described the tense moments as the pursuit entered the busy shopping area. “He went through Greenhills carpark—lucky he didn’t hit any pedestrians,” said shopper Mel Mulholland. “Two cop cars followed him through to where he crashed.”

Another witness, Kate Taylor, noted, “I saw they had some guy pinned to the ground out front of Maccas.”

Police are continuing their investigation and are appealing to the public for any information that may assist, particularly regarding the passenger who left the scene. CCTV footage from the shopping centre is being reviewed to aid in the search.

The incident caused temporary disruptions in the area, but operations at the shopping centre have since returned to normal. Local authorities have urged anyone who witnessed the event or has relevant information to contact Maitland Police Station.

Community Reactions

The unusual midday commotion sparked a range of reactions from locals, with some expressing shock and others injecting humour into the situation.

“Lunch time for the cops?” joked resident Steph Pez, while another local quipped about the perennial McDonald’s ice cream machine issues amid the chaos.

Despite the light-hearted comments, there is a shared sense of relief that the incident concluded without injuries. “It’s not every day you see something like that on your lunch break,” Mulholland added.

Police Appeal

Police have reiterated the importance of public assistance in such matters. Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the outstanding passenger is encouraged to come forward. Information can be provided confidentially to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via their website.

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