A police vehicle has been damaged after it crashed during a pursuit with a stolen a car in Sydney's southwest.
About 12.10am today (Wednesday 11 March 2026), an officer from Bankstown Police Area Command stopped a black Chery SUV on Stanley Street, Bankstown, due to is manner of driving.
As the officer approached the vehicle on foot the Chery drove from the scene.
Police directed the driver of the Chery to stop; however, when they failed to do so a pursuit was initiated.
Shortly after the pursuit began, the police vehicle crashed into a telegraph pole on the corner of Punchbowl Road and Mulga Street, Punchbowl.
Following the crash the pursuit was terminated.
A short time later, police received a report the Chery had crashed into a parked car on Yarrin Street, Punchbowl, before the occupants fled the location on foot.
Police conducted a large-scale canvas of the area; however, the occupants were unable to be located.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and assessed the police officer – a male sergeant – at the scene before he was taken to Liverpool Hospital as a precaution.
He has since been released.
A search of the Chery by police located a knife, gloves and a balaclava. All items have been seized for forensic examination.
Following initial Inquiries, police have established that the Chery was stolen from Albyn Street, Strathfield, on Thursday 5 March 2026
Police have also established the registration plates had been stolen from a vehicle in Roselands earlier this month.
Police have seized the Chery for further forensic examination.
As investigations commence police are urging anyone with information about the incident or with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage to contact Bankstown Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
