A teenager will face court following an alleged car theft and pursuit in the state's north this morning.
About 4.15am today (Friday 12 December 2025), officers attached to New England Police District were called to a home on Frome Street, Inverell, following reports a white Toyota Landcruiser had been stolen.
Police arrived and were told the vehicle – with its keys inside – had been stolen between 12am and 4am the same day.
Following investigations, about 4.30am, police located the Toyota SUV on Ashford Road, travelling towards Inverell. When the vehicle failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle continued onto Swanbrook Road and throughout Inverell, allegedly reaching speeds of 95km/hr in a signposted 50km/hr zone and at times driving on the incorrect side of the road, before the pursuit was terminated due to safety reasons.
Around 5.15am the same day, officers located the allegedly stolen vehicle parked at the intersection of Mulligan and Short Street, Inverell. As police approached, the vehicle allegedly accelerated, forcing a constable to take evasive action, as the vehicle collided with and caused significant damage to a police vehicle.
When the young male inside did not comply with officers' requests for him to exit the vehicle, police forced entry into the vehicle and removed and arrested the teenager.
During a search of the vehicle – which was seized for forensic examination – police allegedly located and seized gloves and a knife.
The 17-year-old was taken to Inverell Base Hospital by NSW Ambulance for suspected eye irritation, however no injuries were found.
The teenager was then taken to Inverell Police Station where he was charged with:
· Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner,
· Never licensed person drive vehicle on road,
· Police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously,
· Use etc offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence,
· Face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, and
· Custody of knife in public place.
The teenager was refused bail to appear before a children's court tomorrow (Saturday 13 December 2025).
