Three teens and a child have been charged under Operation Soteria after an alleged pursuit in the states north today.
About 6.50am (Tuesday 9 December 2025), officers attached to Port-Stephens Hunter Police District attempted to stop a vehicle on the Pacific Highway, Heatherbrae.
When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle allegedly continued towards Karuah where road spikes were deployed; however, the pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.
A short time later officers attached to Operation Soteria observed the vehicle travelling north along the Pacific Highway, Tea Gardens.
Police will allege the vehicle crashed into a median strip before stopping near Nabiac. The vehicle then allegedly conducted a U-turn and crashed into two marked police vehicles.
The vehicle continued travelling northbound before road spikes were successfully deployed and the vehicle stopped after crashing into a road sign.
Four occupants allegedly ran from the scene; however, were arrested a short distance away.
They were taken to Taree Police Station where the driver – a 15-year-old boy – was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025) where he was granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday (16 December 2025).
The passengers – aged 11, 13 and 14 were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The 13-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday 11 December 2025.
The 14-year-old boy was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Bail Division Court today (Tuesday 9 December 2025), where he was formally granted bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 2 March 2026.
The 11-year-old boy was given conditional bail and will appear before a children’s court on Thursday 5 February 2026.