Newcastle Man Charged with Firearm, Drug, and Traffic Offences After Pursuit and Crash

newy.com.au – A Newcastle man has been charged with multiple firearm, drug, and traffic offences following a dramatic police pursuit and crash earlier this year.

The incident unfolded around 6pm on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, when police attempted to stop a stolen Ford Everest on Acacia Avenue, Waratah. The vehicle had been reported stolen from a Cooks Hill address earlier that day. When the driver allegedly failed to stop, officers initiated a pursuit through several Newcastle suburbs.

The chase took a dangerous turn at the intersection of Fern Street and Maitland Road in Wickham, where the Ford allegedly ran a red light and collided with a motorcycle. The rider, a 27-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics. The Ford continued its reckless path to Albert Street, where it crashed into a police vehicle, causing it to roll onto its side. Fortunately, no officers were injured.

The driver and passenger fled the vehicle on foot, but police quickly arrested the 26-year-old passenger on Albert Street, Wickham. He was charged with multiple offences and remains before the court.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives arrested a 41-year-old man at a home in Colliers Close, Newcastle East, around 8:30pm on Wednesday, 12 March 2025. During a search of the property, police allegedly seized a loaded firearm, ammunition, knuckle dusters, a knife, and various illicit drugs.

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with 15 offences, including dangerous driving, possessing an unregistered and shortened firearm, drug possession and supply, and failing to stop after a crash causing injury. He was refused bail and was scheduled to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, 13 March 2025.