Two men have been charged following an alleged police pursuit near Byron Bay yesterday morning.
Police were called to a primary school in Byron Bay about 11.30am on Wednesday after reports two e-bikes had allegedly been stolen.
Officers attached to Tweed-Byron Police District were told two men allegedly loaded the bikes into a van before driving away.
Police later located the van nearby and attempted to stop it. Checks allegedly revealed the vehicle had been stolen in Queensland.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit.
Police will allege in court that the occupants of the van threw projectiles, including a fuel drum and power tools, at a police vehicle during the pursuit.
The pursuit continued to Tyagarah, where the van stopped and two occupants allegedly fled on foot.
A 38-year-old man, alleged to have been driving the van, was arrested a short time later. A 34-year-old man was arrested following an extensive search of the area. Both were taken to Byron Bay Police Station.
The older man was charged with 11 offences, including:
- Two counts of larceny involving property valued between $2,000 and $5,000
- Custody of goods suspected of being stolen
- Receiving property stolen outside NSW valued at less than $2,000
- Two counts of using a Class A vehicle with unauthorised number plates affixed
- Using an unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on a road
- Police pursuit — failing to stop and driving dangerously
- Intentionally throwing an object at a vehicle or vessel, risking safety
- Exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h in a Class A motor vehicle, and
- Entering enclosed land without lawful excuse
The younger man was charged with four offences:
- Two counts of larceny involving property valued between $2,000 and $5,000
- Intentionally throwing an object at a vehicle or vessel, risking safety, and
- Entering enclosed land without lawful excuse
Both men were refused bail and are due to appear before Bail Division Court 1 today.
The two e-bikes were later recovered in bushland on St Helena Road at McLeods Shoot and have since been returned to the students.
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