July 23, 2026
Four youths charged after alleged pursuit

Four youths charged after alleged pursuit

THREE teens and a child have been charged after an alleged highway pursuit.

About 6.50am on Tuesday 9 December 2025, officers attached to Port-Stephens Hunter Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae.

When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle allegedly continued towards Karuah where road spikes were deployed, however the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.

A short time later officers attached to Operation Soteria observed the vehicle travelling north along the Pacific Highway, Tea Gardens.

Police will allege the vehicle crashed into a median strip before stopping near Nabiac.

The vehicle then allegedly conducted a U-turn and crashed into two marked police vehicles.

The vehicle continued travelling northbound before road spikes were successfully deployed and the vehicle stopped after crashing into a road sign.

Four occupants allegedly ran from the scene, however were arrested a short distance away.

They were taken to Taree Police Station where the driver – a 15-year-old boy – was charged with “police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously” and “drive conveyance taken without consent of owner”.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Division Court on Tuesday 9 December, where he was granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday 16 December.

The passengers – aged 11, 13 and 14 were charged with “be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner”.

The 13-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court on Tuesday 9 December, where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday 11 December 2025.

The 14-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court on Tuesday 9 December, where he was formally granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 2 March 2026.

The 11-year-old boy was given conditional bail and will appear before a children’s court on Thursday 5 February 2026.

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