A stolen Audi sedan triggered a major cross-border police operation on Christmas Day, tying up officers from two states before ending in Ballina last night.

The Queensland Police air wing was tracking the black Audi after it was reported stolen from Brisbane earlier in the day.

The vehicle crossed the border at about 5pm and continued south at high speed.

Shortly after it was sighted exiting on Kennedy Drive at Tweed Heads West, where highway patrol vehicles gave chase.

That pursuit was terminated shortly afterwards due to safety concerns.

The police chopper continued tracking the vehicle as it headed back to the M1 and travelled south towards Byron Bay.

Road spikes were successfully deployed at St Helena, near Bangalow.

An eyewitness said the vehicle continued despite the damage, travelling at high speed with sparks visible from the wheels near the Lennox Head exit.

The car continued south on the M1 Pacific Motorway before exiting at Tamarind Drive and heading into town.

A second eyewitness said the car “flew past” on Tamarind Drive, adding it was so loud it sounded like a plane landing.

The pursuit ended a short time later when the vehicle came to a stop after turning off Kerr St into Russell Street.

The three occupants were arrested shortly afterwards and taken to Ballina Police Station.

A 36-year-old man was charged with three offences:
Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed.
Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended.

He was refused bail and is due to appear before Bail Division Court 1 today.

A 24-year-old woman was charged with being carried in a conveyance taken without consent of the owner.

She was refused bail and will appear before the same court today.

A 14-year-old boy was also charged with being carried in a conveyance taken without consent of the owner.

He was refused bail and will appear before a children’s court today.