Three men have been charged following a dramatic police pursuit in Sydney's western suburbs on Saturday afternoon. The chase, which began in Wentworthville, involved a stolen vehicle and ended when police were forced to ram the car. A semi-automatic rifle, a pistol, and cloned number plates were later seized.
Police reported the vehicle had been stolen from an address in Edmonson Park in March.
Incident Timeline
Raptor Squad detectives attempted to stop a white Audi on the Great Western Highway in Wentworthville around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. The vehicle did not stop, initiating a pursuit through multiple suburbs.
During the pursuit, police stated that occupants of the vehicle threw fuel jerry cans and bleach containers onto the M4 Motorway at Silverwater. The vehicle was eventually stopped after being rammed by police on Hill Road in Lidcombe. The three occupants then fled from the vehicle on foot.
Arrests
Officers, assisted by PolAir and the Dog Squad, pursued the men on foot and arrested them a short time later. Footage obtained by the ABC shows one man being detained by police officers underneath a motorway where the vehicle had been stopped.
Items Seized
During a search of the vehicle, police reported finding and seizing:
- A semi-automatic rifle
- A pistol
- Cloned number plates
Charges
All three men were charged with the following offences:
- Possession of an unregistered and prohibited firearm
- Possession of an unregistered and unauthorised pistol in a public place
- Possession of ammunition without holding a licence or permit
- Participation in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity
The driver, aged 28, faced two additional charges:
- Driving a conveyance taken without the consent of the owner
- Police pursuit — not stop — drive recklessly
Two outstanding warrants for assault and domestic violence offences were also executed against the driver.
The two other men, both aged 24, were each charged with being carried in a conveyance taken without the consent of the owner.
Legal Proceedings
All three men were refused bail and are scheduled to appear before the Bail Division Local Court.
Police Appeal
Police have requested that anyone with information, dash-cam footage, or mobile phone video contact Auburn Police Station or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.