Woman leaves four children and dog in the car before fleeing from police following alleged pursuit in Taree
Police had to deploy road spikes to stop a car with four children and a dog inside before the female driver left them behind and ran to escape arrest.
In incredible scenes, officers found the children inside the vehicle before chasing the woman down in the street.
The woman faced court on Thursday following the alleged pursuit with the children in the vehicle on the mid-north coast of NSW at Taree on Wednesday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.At about 3.30pm, officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes Police District were patrolling Taree when they attempted to stop a vehicle that was allegedly being driven dangerously on Barton Street near Bushland Drive.
When the vehicle failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit. It was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
After monitoring the vehicle, police successfully deployed road spikes on the northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway, north of Cundletown.
The vehicle did a U-turn and came to a stop in the southbound lanes, where the female driver allegedly ran from the vehicle. She was arrested nearby following a short foot pursuit.
Four children – aged 15, 10 and two children aged two – and a dog, were located uninjured in the abandoned vehicle.
The 34-year-old woman was taken to Taree Police Station, where she was subjected to alcohol and drug tests, which allegedly returned a positive result for methamphetamine. This will undergo further analysis.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The woman was charged with police pursuit - not stop - driving dangerously, abandoning a child under seven, causing danger serious injury (DV), and learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester.
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.