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Alleged Suspected Carjacking, Man Arrested After Dramatic Lake Macquarie Police Pursuit

today19 January 2025

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A 46-year-old man was arrested yesterday following an alleged carjacking attempt and a dramatic police pursuit through parts of the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie. Authorities deployed road spikes on the Pacific Highway at Catherine Hill Bay before taking the man into custody.

According to posts shared on the Dash Cam Owners Australia Facebook page, the incident began on Ruttleys Road in Wyee at around midday on Saturday. A local woman who had just dropped off her brother at his ute was driving behind him when a man in a white Jeep allegedly waved her down, letting her brother pass while signalling for her to pull over.

Sensing that something was amiss, the brother exited his vehicle. A physical altercation ensued after the man allegedly became aggressive and claimed to be a police officer. She later explained that she feared a possible carjacking attempt, adding that her brother’s intervention was crucial in keeping her safe.

Official Police Pursuit

About an hour after this altercation, the same white Jeep is believed to have been involved in a police pursuit. An official statement from Lake Macquarie Police District reads:

“About 2.15pm on Saturday (18 January 2025), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling Wyee when they attempted to stop an SUV. When the driver allegedly failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued along the Pacific Highway through several suburbs in the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie areas. Road spikes were successfully deployed at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Flowers Road, Catherine Hill Bay. A short time later, the car crashed on the Pacific Highway. The driver, a 46-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station, where inquiries are ongoing.”

Witnesses on social media reported seeing multiple police vehicles converging on the suspect’s Jeep, with one commenter likening the scene to “a movie chase.” Others expressed relief that no innocent motorists were injured during the incident.

Community Reactions

Within hours, comments and videos related to the encounter on Ruttleys Road spread across Facebook pages dedicated to local incident alerts. Many users commended the woman’s brother for his quick thinking, noting that he “kept his sister safe” by distracting the alleged offender.

Some community members speculated that the man had been looking specifically for a female driver to target. Several commenters advised drivers, especially women travelling alone, to keep their doors locked and to never pull over for anyone claiming to be an officer unless they are clearly in uniform or driving an identifiable police vehicle.

Local residents also voiced concern over what they perceive as a rise in dangerous driving incidents. Some pointed to substance abuse or mental health issues as possible factors, while others called for harsher penalties and stricter bail conditions.

At the time of publication, no formal charges had been announced beyond the police confirmation of the arrest. Investigations are ongoing, and police have encouraged anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour or who may have dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

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Written by: Newy Staff


Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.