Two people were arrested for allegedly stealing fuel from a construction site in Black Hill at the weekend.
Police attended the locale about 9.30pm on Sunday 5 April following reports unknown perpetrators had been seen siphoning diesel from several excavators.
It’s understood the offenders used a Mitsubishi Triton, which had been stolen from a residence in Rutherford the previous evening.
Upon police arrival, the duo fled the scene, driving through nearby bushland toward Black Hill Road.
Officers from Newcastle City Highway Patrol then initiated a pursuit.
As a result, the Triton forced its way through a locked gate and continued for several kilometres before the driver lost control and crashed onto a large stone bollard, leaving the vehicle immobilised.
At the time, it was towing a large fuel carrier.
Soon after, police caught the 31‑year‑old female passenger.
However, a 30‑year‑old man was tracked for approximately three kilometres through dense bushland before being arrested with the assistance of a police dog.
He vomited diesel fuel, which he had swallowed while attempting to siphon it from the excavators.
Subsequently, the male returned a negative roadside breath test but failed a sobriety assessment.
A small quantity of prohibited drugs was located on both offenders.
They were transported to Maitland Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The man was also charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner; goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (motor vehicle); goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle); enter enclosed lands without lawful excuse; larceny; police pursuit; drive recklessly/furiously or speed or manner dangerous; drive vehicle under the influence of drugs; and possess prohibited drug.
His driver licence was suspended, too.
Despite opposition from police, he was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 22 April.
Meanwhile, the woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for being carried in a stolen conveyance; larceny; enter enclosed lands; possess prohibited drug; and an additional offence unrelated to the incident.
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