A LARGE-scale police operation was still under way on Thursday night to try and catch two men who fled officers near Inverell during a chase.
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New England police said two women were captured on Wednesday and two men had been arrested in the Graman and Delungra areas on Thursday, but two others were still on the run.
The manhunt was sparked after a stolen car was involved in a fail-to-pay on Tuesday night at Inverell.
“The following day the same vehicle was involved in a fail-to-pay at Ashford,” Inspector Chris McKinnon said.
“It’s alleged one of the occupants threw a rock at the station attendant when the employee approached the vehicle.”
Police were alerted and extra officers were called in in a bid to stop the vehicle, before six people fled on foot from the stolen Holden Cruz.
The police helicopter – PolAir – was also diverted to assist in the search for the offenders on Wednesday.
“Police stopped the vehicle in the vicinity of Graman where six occupants of the vehicle were seen to run into neighbouring rural properties,” Inspector McKinnon said.
“Police chased the occupants and after a foot pursuit, arrested two females, aged 19 and 23.”
Skye Walton and Sky Jean Warry were charged with being carried in a stolen conveyance while Walton was also charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception.
The pair appeared in Inverell Local Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty.
Magistrate Bailey ordered the pair both to spend one month in prison meaning the women will be eligible for release on August 19.
Police said the vehicle was reported stolen in Ipswich in Queensland. The two arrested by officers on Thursday were still in police custody on Thursday afternoon being questioned by police.
More than a dozen police were still scouring the Graman area on Thursday afternoon for the two men still on the run.
Police also issued a warning to landholders in the area to be vigilant with fears the pair could be trying to steal a car to evade police.
Police would urge the public not to approach the pair but to contact police immediately.
- Inspector Chris McKinnon
“Efforts are continuing to locate the two outstanding offenders,” Inspector McKinnon said.
“Police would urge the public not to approach the pair, who are described as being Aboriginal in appearance, if sighted, but to contact police immediately.”