A man has been charged over an alleged police pursuit and drug seizure in the state's Central Western Slopes region overnight.
Officers attached to Orana Mid Western Police District were patrolling in Wellington about 9.30pm yesterday (Thursday 20 August 2026), when they saw a Ford sedan on Whiteley Street allegedly driving dangerously with no lights.
When the driver allegedly ignored police direction to stop, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through several streets in Wellington – with the vehicle allegedly reaching speeds of up to 120kmh in signposted 50kmh speed zones – before reaching Warruga Place, where the vehicle travelled off-road into a paddock behind an aged-care facility and hit a fence.
Police directed the driver – a 32-year-old man – to get out of the vehicle; while attempting to remove the driver, police will allege the driver attempted to accelerate away and a Taser was deployed.
Following a short foot pursuit, officers arrested the man, who was allegedly wearing a black balaclava.
During a search of the man and vehicle, police seized methylamphetamine, four mobile phones and scissors allegedly in his possession.
The vehicle was also allegedly displaying two different registration plates that did not match the vehicle.
The man was taken to Wellington Police Station where he was charged with seven offences,
- Possess prohibited drug
- Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously
- Drive uninsured vehicle
- Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road
- Use registrable vehicle not display authorised number-plates
- Never licensed person drive vehicle on road, and
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 4 today (Friday 21 August 2026).
