Three teens charged after massive search on quiet Sydney street

Saturday, 28 December 2024 17:15

The manhunt plunged a neighbourhood into lockdown with PolAir, dog squad and tactical response group called in following the highway pursuit.

Three teenagers have been charged after a highway pursuit and search operation on a quiet street in Sydney's south-west.

Police attempted to pull over a white Genesis SUV at about 10.40am today, which was allegedly driving dangerously on the Hume Highway at Menangle, south-west of Sydney.

After the car allegedly failed to stop, police initiated a chase but officers were forced to abandon the pursuit due to safety concerns.

There was a large police presence in the Currans Hill street.

A police helicopter found the SUV dumped nearby on Downes Crescent in Currans Hill about 10 minutes later.

Three people, aged 18, 16 and 15, were found and arrested on Spring Hill Circuit in the Sydney suburb.

Prior to the arrest, resident Justin Miller was in the garden when the trio approached him and asked for directions to the nearest train station.

Officers found a large knife in bushland close to where the three were arrested.

Miller assumed the teenagers had been at a local house party the night before and sent them to the closest bus stop.

"Five minutes later the chopper came flying over and the cop cars were flying down the street, I put two and two together at that stage," he said.

Police said initial checks revealed the SUV was reported stolen at an address in the Australian Capital Territory earlier in the day.

Multiple police resources were used in the search, including PolAir, the dog squad and the tactical response squad.

Local resident Lee Jeans described the scene as "a bit chaotic" for the usually quiet area.

"There were cops everywhere, they had them on the ground, everyone was crowding around," she said.

"A bit of excitement for the neighbourhood."

PolAir, the dog squad and the tactical response squad were among multiple police resources.

Officers found a large knife in bushland close to where the three were arrested.

Police also allegedly seized a small amount of what's believed to be an illicit substance.

The 18-year-old was charged with not stopping during a police pursuit, driving recklessly, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, receive etc property stolen outside NSW more than $15000 and possess means of disguising face with intent to commit indictable offence.

The two other teens were both charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The 18-year-old was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.

The two boys were also refused bail to appear at a Children's Court tomorrow.

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