Man Charged After Alleged Police Pursuit and Firearm Discovery in Port Stephens

newy.com.au – A man has been charged after an alleged police pursuit and the discovery of a firearm in a stolen vehicle in Port Stephens last month.

Around 8am on Thursday, 13 February 2025, officers attempted to stop a blue Ford Falcon on The Bucketts Way in Booral. Investigations later revealed the car had been stolen from Queensland, and the driver had allegedly failed to pay for fuel at a service station in Walcha earlier that day.

When the driver allegedly ignored police directions to stop, a pursuit was initiated. The chase continued until the vehicle reached a rest stop at Twelve Mile Creek, where the driver abandoned the car and fled into nearby bushland. Despite assistance from the Dog Unit and PolAir, officers were unable to locate him at the time.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a firearm, prompting further inquiries. Following an extensive investigation, detectives arrested a 40-year-old man at Fassifern Train Station around 2:40pm on Thursday, 27 February 2025.

He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with seven offences, including:

• Police pursuit – fail to stop – drive at speed (two counts)
• Dishonestly obtain property by deception
• Use, supply, acquire, possess stolen firearm or part
• Possess ammunition without holding a licence/permit/authority
• Possess unauthorised firearm
• Not keep firearm safely

The man was refused bail and appeared before Toronto Local Court on Friday, 28 February 2025, where his bail was formally denied. He is scheduled to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday, 10 March 2025.