NSW Police say officers attempted to stop a stolen SUV on the Pacific Highway at Lake Haven shortly after midday on Wednesday, September 9. The driver allegedly failed to stop, prompting police to initiate a pursuit. The pursuit continued through several suburbs before being terminated.

A short time later, the SUV allegedly collided with a hatchback at the intersection of Pacific Highway and Tall Timbers Road, Lake Munmorah. The driver of the hatchback was not injured. The alleged driver of the SUV reportedly ran from the crash scene but was later located hiding under a parked vehicle at a nearby shopping centre and arrested.

Police allege the SUV had been stolen from a licensed premises at Jesmond on August 7 and had also allegedly been involved in a fail-to-pay incident at a Doyalson service station earlier on September 9. During a search of the man and vehicle, officers allegedly seized two MD-MA tablets, 3.4 grams of methamphetamine and a knife.

The 32-year-old was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with nine offences, including dangerous driving during a police pursuit, taking and driving a conveyance without consent, driving while disqualified, drug possession, possessing a knife in a public place, resisting or hindering police and allegedly assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm.

The man was refused bail and was scheduled to appear before Bail Division Court 6 on September 10. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.