A man has been arrested following a high profile police chase from Warilla to the Wollongong CBD.
Officers initially attempted to stop a vehicle travelling on Shellharbour Road in relation to a domestic violence incident and the driver sped off.
This occurred at 2.15pm on Tuesday, November 21, and when the vehicle failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.
Police were led on a 17-kilometre long road pursuit, with a PolAir helicopter called in to search for the vehicle from above.
Members of the public reported on social media that they saw a car driving on the wrong side of the street on Shellharbour Road.
Another wrote: "Saw about 15 police cars travelling to the M1 motorway".
One person posted that a car went "flying past us on hwy heading north".
Around 3.30pm, police blocked off the entrance to Wollongong Central's car park on Keira Street with an unmarked police car.
There was a large police presence and five marked cars on Kenny Street, with a dozen officers speaking to people in the area.
"The vehicle stopped along Kenny Street, Wollongong where the 23-year-old male driver was arrested," a NSW Police spokesman said.
"He was taken to Wollongong Police Station and is currently assisting with inquiries."
A police officer at the scene told the Mercury "there was a female outstanding" after a car smashed into a wall in the Keira Street car park. By 7pm officers had spoken to the woman and she was no longer outstanding.
A police spokesman said nobody was injured and no vehicles damaged.
The Mercury received reports police were led on a chase through a number of suburbs including Albion Park, Warrawong, Coniston and Wollongong.
- If you are a victim of domestic violence call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
Nadine Morton
Breaking news journalist at the Illawarra Mercury. Email: nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Breaking news journalist at the Illawarra Mercury. Email: nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
