A wanted man allegedly sped in a stolen car and drove on the wrong side of the road during a Northern Rivers police chase before officers called off the pursuit over safety concerns.
Wally Drew, 27 was arrested in Casino on Saturday afternoon following a search involving highway patrol officers and the Dog Unit.
Police allegedly seized machetes, knives and drugs from the abandoned car, with a firearm and ammunition found in a nearby bag.
The chase began about 1.15pm on Saturday when Richmond Police District officers attempted to stop a Holden Commodore on Spring Street, Coraki.
Police said they recognised the driver as a man wanted on two outstanding warrants.
Further checks allegedly revealed the Holden had been stolen from a Casino property the previous day.
The driver allegedly failed to stop, sparking a pursuit that continued into Casino before police terminated it due to safety concerns.
Police allege he exceeded the speed limit and drove on the wrong side of the road during the chase.
The Commodore was later found abandoned on East Street, Casino, after the driver allegedly fled on foot.
Officers searched the car and allegedly found machetes, knives and prohibited drugs. The vehicle was seized for forensic examination.
Police established a perimeter and searched the area with assistance from Traffic and Highway Patrol officers and the Dog Unit.
The man was allegedly found hiding on Hartley Street and arrested about 4.40pm. Police also allegedly found a bag nearby containing a firearm and ammunition.
At Casino Police Station, officers executed two outstanding warrants relating to robbery and pursuit offences.
He was also charged with 10 fresh offences, including driving recklessly during a police pursuit, driving while never licensed and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
The firearm charges include possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm, possessing an unregistered prohibited firearm, failing to store it safely and acquiring it without a licence or permit.
He also faces charges of possessing ammunition without a licence, permit or authority, and acquiring a prohibited firearm and ammunition while subject to a prohibition order.
Drew was refused police bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 on Sunday.
UPDATE : Drew appeared in Bail Division 10.33AM Sunday and was formally refused bail .
He is due to appear via custody at Lismore Local Court November 16.
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