A West Wollongong man has faced court accused of leading police on a wild foot chase, including dodging heavy afternoon traffic on the Princes Highway, in a bid to avoid arrest on domestic violence allegations.
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Officers were forced to commandeer a NSW Ambulance vehicle as they pursued Evan James Kelly through the streets of West Wollongong on Monday afternoon, while a police sedan brought in to help with the chase ended up crashing into a brick wall.
Documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court this week said the 39-year-old was wanted by police over accusations he assaulted his father on July 20, allegedly grabbing the older man in a headlock and repeatedly punching him in the head when he refused to give his son money.
Police went to Kelly's house that afternoon but couldn't locate him.
They returned to the premises a week later on Monday afternoon. Kelly spoke to them through a closed door. He was advised he was under arrest and told the officers he was "going to put some clothes on".
Police said they allowed him to get dressed but grew concerned when they could no longer hear movement in the house and suspected he may have fled out the back.
Officers forced their way inside the house, at which time they heard Kelly opening a rear window. Police at the rear of the property saw Kelly climb out the second-storey window and use a cable to "abseil" down to the ground.
He was told to stop but scaled a tall fence and ran off.
Police chased Kelly through several private properties as they called for reinforcements.
A full-marked police sedan arrived to help with the pursuit but ran into a brick fence on Highway avenue due to the wet conditions.
Meanwhile, other officers chased Kelly southbound, with some commandeered a passing ambulance so they could continue to follow Kelly.
The court heard Kelly bolted towards the highway and began running onto the northbound ramp.
He then climbed down an embankment and ran across the highway before being arrested by police waiting for him on the other side, police will allege.
"During the foot pursuit, the lives of numerous police were put at risk due to the accused running on very busy, main arterial roads," police said.
"Traffic was heavy and it was overcast and raining heavily at the time."
Kelly was charged with resisting arrest, as well as domestic violence offences.
He entered pleas of not guilty to all charges in court on Tuesday, and sought release on bail, however it was refused on account of his recent history of violence towards his father.
