Ballina woke to the sound of sirens yesterday as a white Holden Commodore tore through the CBD, triggering a rolling hour of chaos that saw police give chase three separate times.

The drama began just after 7am, when officers tried to pull over the Commodore on River Street for an obscured number plate.

Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly shot up Martin Street, the paddy wagon and Highway Patrol car close behind.

The chase continued north along Tamarind Drive, but with increasing traffic, rising speeds and mounting risk, police were forced to abandon the pursuit only minutes after it began.

For drivers heading to work and residents on their early morning walks, the chase was already remarkable enough. 

But police weren’t done — and neither was the Commodore.

A second sighting — and another brief pursuit

Officers spent the next ten minutes sweeping Cumbalum and Ballina Heights, hoping the vehicle would reappear.

At 7.13am, it did — spotted on Ballina Heights Drive.

Once again, the Commodore allegedly refused to stop. Once again, officers were forced to break off the chase as the car accelerated toward the highway.

Third time lucky

The morning’s turning point came at 7.21am, when Byron Bay Highway Patrol officers saw the same vehicle travelling through St Helena.

This time, the decision was made: the car could not be allowed to keep running.

Road spikes were laid out near Tintenbar, bursting the tyres as the Commodore raced over them — but the driver allegedly still kept going, pushing south down the M1 for more than 20 kilometres, sparks flying, the rims carving their own trail toward Pimlico.

The final moments

As the damaged vehicle attempted to exit the motorway, the driver lost control and slammed into an embankment.

Before police could reach the wreck, two men ran from the vehicle, allegedly trying to disappear into the bush.

Officers continued the chase on foot, crashing through the scrub in a race to cut them off.

The 18-year-old passenger was the first to go down, cornered in thick grass and arrested.

The 20-year-old alleged driver, however, kept running. Officers called on him to stop.

When he didn’t, a Taser was deployed — and the chase that had travelled from the heart of Ballina, north to St Helena then south to the edges of Pimlico finally came to an end.

Serious charges follow

Back at Ballina Police Station, officers charged the 20-year-old alleged driver with seven offences, including dangerous police pursuit, driving while disqualified, exceeding the limit by more than 45km/h, having an illicit drug present, and using an obscured number plate.

He was remanded in custody to appear before court.

The 18-year-old was released without being charged.