Three men appeared in court on Sunday following a police pursuit through seven Newcastle and Port Stephens suburbs.
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Police said about 2.25am on Saturday, December 14 officers from the Newcastle City Police District saw a black Mazda sedan that was suspected to have been stolen parked at a serviced station on Glebe Road in Merewether.
Officers approached two men, both aged 23, inside the service station.
Police said at the same time a third 23-year-old man allegedly sitting inside the Mazda drove away from the service station.
Upon searching the two men who had been inside the service station, officers allegedly found more than $9000 in cash and ammunition on one of them.
Both men were arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
Other police pursued the Mazda through the suburbs of Birmingham Gardens, Waratah, Jesmond, Heatherbrae, Raymond Terrace and Williamtown.
Road spikes were deployed on Tourle Street in Mayfield West causing the tyres to deflate.
The car continued until it crashed into a set of traffic lights at the intersection of Tourle Street and Industrial Drive.
Police said the driver allegedly fled the vehicle and was pursued on foot before being arrested in a backyard of a home in Groongale Street, Mayfield West.
Officers allegedly located and seized two bags dropped near the scene. Upon searching the bags, police allegedly found a number of pills, mobile phones, gloves and a knife.
The driver was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing before being taken to Newcastle Police Station.
Upon searching the Mazda, officers allegedly located a .22 rifle under the seat. The firearm was seized and will be forensically examined.
The 23-year-old driver was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and drive conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The second 23-year-old was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
The third 23-year-old was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner and custody of knife in public place.
All three were refused bail and appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Sunday, December 15.
