Police have charged two women with 29 offences following an alleged crime spree around Port Stephens Hunter Police District over the past week.
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Officers will allege the two women, aged 24 and 27, stole numerous vehicles across the district by posing as interested buyers for cars advertised for sale online.
On Thursday, November 15, the women allegedly stole a black Mazda6 from an address in Bolwarra Heights.
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Police will allege the vehicle was used in multiple offences including failing to pay for fuel at a service station at Nabiac on Monday.
Later the same day, the Mazda6 was found damaged on Viney Creek Road at West Tea Gardens.
A short time later, a Toyota Hilux was stolen from a home, also on Viney Creek Road.
Police established a perimeter around the area where they observed the stolen Hilux travel past.
Officers activated warning devices but the vehicle failed to stop as directed.
A pursuit was initiated as police followed the vehicle north on the Pacific Highway, but was later terminated owing to erratic driving, officers said.
Police came across the vehicle again on Failford Road, Darawank, led by reports from the public, where the pursuit was resumed.
Police pursued the Hilux through Tuncurry and Forster where the car was forced to stop at heavy traffic on Forster Bridge.
The women were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station where they were charged with multiple offences including steal motor vehicle, police pursuit not stop, drive manner dangerous, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, aggravated break and enter, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, having goods in custody suspected of being stolen, and shoplifting.
They were refused bail and will appear in Forster Local Court on Tuesday.