A man has been charged with traffic and firearm offences after a pursuit in the state's west on the weekend.
About 9.40pm yesterday (Sunday 19 July 2026), officers from Orana Mid Western Police District were patrolling the Mitchell Highway, Wellington, when they sighted a Toyota sedan with no taillights on.
Officers have attempted to stop the sedan on Truman Avenue; however, when the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through several streets in Wellington before turning onto the Mitchell Highway.
Officers continued to pursue the sedan onto Maryvale Road, which becomes a dirt road, and the driver allegedly began to throw items from the sedan.
Police have lost sight of the sedan on the dirt road and terminated the pursuit.
Following a continued search of the area, police located the sedan in a paddock.
The driver – a 29-year-old man - ran from the sedan, and after a foot pursuit, he was arrested.
Following a search of the sedan, officers allegedly located and seized two rifles and several rounds of ammunition.
Officers also searched the man and a bag in his possession and allegedly located housebreaking implements, ammunition, methylamphetamine and registration plates.
The man was taken to Wellington Police Station and charged with:
- Possess unauthorised firearm (two counts),
- Possess unregistered firearm – not pistol/prohibited firearm (two counts),
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority,
- Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously,
- Class C motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h – estimated,
- Possess prohibited drug,
- Possess housebreaking implements.
The man was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 4 today (Monday 20 July 2026).
