UPDATE: A police officer fired a shot during a high-speed chase of a suspected stolen car driven by a 17-year-old boy, with a 14-year-old girl as a passenger, in a dramatic incident in Sydney on September 20, 2023. The pursuit escalated quickly, leading to multiple collisions, including with three police vehicles.
The chase began at approximately 9:15 PM on Reservoir Road in Blacktown when officers attempted to stop the car, which was believed to be stolen. The driver fled, prompting a pursuit along the M4 Motorway to James Street in Leichhardt, where the vehicle crashed into a parked car.
In a chaotic turn, police attempted to apprehend the driver but were forced to fire a gun and deploy a Taser after an officer was reportedly struck by the car door. The injured officer, aged 27, was taken to the hospital with a minor head injury and has since been discharged.
Police confirmed that the car, during the reckless pursuit, struck two parked vehicles and three police cars before abandoning the scene. The vehicle was later located in a driveway on Crystal Street in Petersham, believed to have been deserted by the suspects.
On September 21 at around 2:00 PM, authorities arrested the teenage driver and his passenger at a home on George Street in Erskineville. The driver faces a total of ten charges, including assaulting a police officer and dangerous driving during a pursuit. The female passenger was charged with being carried in a vehicle taken without consent and breach of bail conditions.
Both teenagers have been refused bail and are scheduled to appear before a Children’s Court on September 22.
This incident highlights escalating tensions between law enforcement and youth involved in vehicle thefts, raising concerns about public safety and the policies governing police pursuits. As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize the importance of community cooperation in addressing such incidents.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
