UPDATE: A 19-year-old motorbike rider has been charged with multiple offences, including assaulting a police officer, following a dramatic encounter late Tuesday night in East Maitland. The incident escalated when police approached the rider at approximately 11:30 PM near a service station on the New England Highway.
Authorities report that the rider, who was operating an unregistered motorcycle, attempted to flee after allegedly pushing the motorcycle towards a police constable, striking the officer in the process. The confrontation led to a brief foot pursuit, during which officers deployed a Taser to subdue the suspect.
Upon arrest, police discovered that the motorcycle’s identification numbers had been removed, raising suspicions about its ownership. The motorcycle was seized for further investigation.
The rider was transported to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with driving while disqualified, possession of suspected stolen goods, and assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty without causing actual bodily harm. He has been granted strict conditional bail and is set to appear at Maitland Local Court on January 14.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety and the behavior of unregistered vehicle operators. Police are urging the public to report any suspicious activity involving motorcycles to ensure community safety.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
