UPDATED: Drivers were forced to swerve to avoid collisions during a dramatic police pursuit through Ballina this morning.
Police were chasing a silver Honda Jazz, and despite the car’s small size, the driver led officers on a dangerous high-speed pursuit through town, with both an unmarked highway patrol vehicle and a paddy wagon in pursuit.
Road spikes were deployed on Tamarind Drive, but footage uploaded by a witness to the Ballina Community Notice Board Facebook page (main photo) shows the driver swerving onto the roadside verge to avoid them.
Posting to Facebook, local resident Danny Paterson said he saw the car squeeze between two vehicles stopped at the Bangalow Road and Kerr Street intersection.
Subscribe to our newsletter below and never miss the latest news.
“Pretty sure he grazed one, if not both, cars waiting at the red light,” he wrote.
The chase continued onto Deadmans Creek Road, where a member of the public reported a near head-on collision as the fleeing driver weaved dangerously through peak-hour traffic.
Police Statement issued 4pm: Driver still on the run
“About 9am today (Wednesday 25 June), officers attached to Richmond Police District were patrolling on Jarrett Street, Ballina, when they attempted to stop a silver Honda Jazz hatchback with the number plates allegedly unmatched to the vehicle.
When it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated before extra resources from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were called.
The pursuit continued through Tamarind Drive, Ballina, before it was terminated on the same street in Ballina CBD, due to a safety concern,” the statement concluded.
Unrelated to Lismore Square incident
Earlier, Police confirmed to Ballina News Daily that the car chase was unrelated to the hunt for two men wanted over a separate aggravated break-in at Lismore Square Shopping Centre earlier that morning.
In that incident, police say two men armed with an axe smashed their way into the centre around 5:30am, targeting several businesses including a jewellery store. Cash, jewellery and watches were reported stolen. No injuries have been reported.
Officers from Richmond Police District responded and established multiple crime scenes.
Investigations into both incidents are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Further updates to come.
0 Comments