A man has been charged with multiple break and enter offences after he allegedly rammed a police car during a pursuit in the state's Northern Rivers earlier this month.
About 8.10am on Wednesday 16 April 2025, police located an allegedly stolen Toyota Landcruiser driving on Summerland Way, Wiangaree about 14km north of Kyogle.
When police approached the Toyota, the driver allegedly drove at and hit a police vehicle before leaving the scene in the Toyota.
Police directed the driver to stop; however, when they allegedly failed to do so a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through the Wiangaree, Geneva and Afterlee areas before the allegedly stolen Landcruiser crashed through a fence and into a tree on Murray Scrub Road, Toonumbar.
The driver – a 32-year-old man – was arrested at the scene by officers attached to Richmond Police District, Coffs/Clarence Police District and the Dog Unit after he attempted to leave the scene.
During the arrest police located items believed to have been stolen and a small amount of ammunition.
The 32-year-old was taken to Casino Police Station where he was charged with:
- Larceny (two counts)
- Destroy or damage property (two counts)
- Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
- Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
- Use class A vehicle displaying misleading number plate, and
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
About 11am on Thursday (17 April 2025), police executed a search warrant at a home on Old Tenterfield Road Kippenduff where they allegedly located and seized items including a revolver barrel, cannabis, vehicle keys, mobile phones, SIM cards, firearm parts, ammunition, and a Mazda BT50 believed to have been stolen.
The man was refused bail and appeared before Lismore Local Court on Thursday 17 April 2025, where he formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Monday 5 May 2025.
