Australia Day pursuit comes to a crashing halt in Cootamundra

A MAN accused of leading police on a pursuit through Cootamundra on Australia Day — before crashing his car and attempting to flee on foot — was allegedly unlicensed and in possession of housebreaking tools and suspected stolen property.

The dramatic scenes unfolded about 8.15pm on Monday, January 26, when officers from the Riverina Police District attempted to stop a Mazda hatchback during patrols of the town.

A NSW Police spokesperson told The Junee Bulletin that officers initiated a pursuit after the driver allegedly “accelerated away” from police.

“When the driver of the Mazda failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated,” the spokesperson said.

“The driver of the Mazda allegedly accelerated and failed to give way at the intersection of Hurley and Thompson Streets, crashing into a Mitsubishi SUV.”

A passenger in the SUV was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and assessed for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Mazda — a 29-year-old man — allegedly ran from the scene but was chased down by police and arrested a short distance away.

He was allegedly found to be in possession of housebreaking implements and suspected stolen property, with checks also revealing his driver’s licence had been cancelled.

The man was taken to Cootamundra Police Station, where he was charged with a string of serious offences, including police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, driving while his licence was cancelled, and possessing housebreaking implements.

He was also charged with possessing or attempting to possess a prescribed restricted substance, as well as having goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen (not a motor vehicle).

The 29-year-old was held in custody overnight and appeared before Wagga Local Court on Tuesday, January 27, where he was granted conditional bail to reappear at Cootamundra Local Court on Monday, February 16.