STILL AT LARGE: Some Nabiac residents were told to stay in their homes as police searched for a man wanted for various offences.
A MAN is still at large after he eluded police capture during a man hunt in the Nabiac area on Monday afternoon with a number of residents advised to stay in their homes during the search.
At approximately 8.40am on Monday morning a white van travelling south on the Pacific Highway was detected by police radar exceeding the speed limit at Moorland.
Before police could pursue the vehicle, it left the road and eluded police.
At approximately 10.50am the same vehicle was again detected exceeding the speed limit at Nabiac and a police pursuit ensued.
The driver again left the road, collided with an embankment and fled the vehicle on foot with police in pursuit.
“A large scale search was undertaken to try and locate this fellow in the vicinity of the Minimbah Road area,” Inspector Tony Power confirmed.
“A police dog was called in and police established the identity of the man who is wanted for various property offences in the Coffs Harbour area.”
Police, with the assistance of the sniffer dog, tracked the man to a nearby property where it was discovered the house had been broken into and an amount of clothing stolen.
Unsuccessful attempts were also made to access a gun safe inside the property.
“We believe he may have been breaking into homes and changing his clothing to elude police,” Inspector Power said. Police believe the man, aged in his 30’s, may have fled the scene in a white Suzuki four-wheel drive with NSW registration AR-57-FQ, which was stolen from Crockers Lane, Nabiac at about 5:30pm on Friday and is yet to be recovered. “He has still eluded police and we are asking people in the Nabiac area who may have seen something yesterday (Monday) or may have had some property disturbed or taken to contact local police or Crime Stoppers,” Inspector Power said. The white van in which the man was originally detected was towed to Taree where some items, including a woman’s handbag reported stolen from car in Merewether on July 7, were located inside the van and will assist officers with their inquiries. People with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
