Urgent plea after car attempts to ram cop
Written by admin on June 23, 2024
Police will investigate whether the two men who allegedly attempted to ram a junior officer with a car have links to organised crime gangs, as they appeal for help from the public.
Three officers confronted two men in the underground car park of a unit block on the Princes Highway in St Peters, in Sydney’s inner west, following reports of a break and enter, at about 1.15am on Sunday.
When approached by police, the two men got into a white Volkswagen Golf and tried to drive off.
However when police tried to stop the car, the vehicle drove directly at a constable, reaching a “close proximity” before the officer fired a single shot at the car, before it sped away from the scene.
Following the confrontation, the vehicle, which carried plates which have been reported as stolen, was involved in a short pursuit in Rozelle, before it was found on fire in an underground carpark in Harris St Pyrmont, about 2.7km away from Rozelle.
Two crime scenes have been established at the St Peters and Pyrmont site, with forensic experts combing through the Volkswagen Golf.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fired bullet.
Acting Superintendent Commander Ben Kennis of the Inner West Police Area Command couldn’t confirm whether the two men were known to police at the time.
He said officers attending the scene “acted on their suspicion” when confronting them.
“They called on them to stop, and when they ran that’s when police pursued them,” he said.
Commander Kennis said potential links to organised crime would form a line of inquiry.
“That will certainly be a line of inquiry that we will pursue. At this stage, the identity of the offenders is unknown, so there is no information in relation to any links to organised crime but that certainly will form part of the investigation,” he said.
Commander Kennis said police could discharge their fire arm in circumstances when they believe there is a threat to their life. He said the constable who discharged his gun will be “spoken to and those details will come out in the investigation”.
He also confirmed he had spoken to the constable, and said they were “doing quite well”.
“It’s very confronting to be driven at and it’s not a pleasant time to discharge a firearm, for any officer.
“I spoke with that police officer this morning and they are doing quite well.
“(They) haven’t slept much however hopefully with some sleep and some exercise they will be feeling much better. But we will support that officer and wrap a lot of support around them.”
Police have urged anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to contact police, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
