An accident on the Orana Rd roundabout at Ocean Shores on Friday, 18 September quickly turned into a manhunt after a fugitive crashed a stolen car into another vehicle.
Garry Eastburn told The Echo that his son, Dan, stopped to assist with the serious and dangerous accident, where one of the cars had a ruptured fuel tank.
Garry said, ‘While Dan was assisting the occupants of one of the vehicles, the fugitive jumped into Dan’s car and took off’.
‘It was distressing, as the family dog, a 13 year old border collie, was in the car’.
‘Thankfully, police were able to track him in the car as Dan’s phone was also left in the car.
‘We got a call later from a Murwillumbah vet, who said they found our dog wandering the streets.
‘Dan’s car is a write-off, and he has lost half his building tools, which is worth thousands’.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe told The Echo, the accident occurred at around 10am, ‘where a 31-year-old male driver collided with another vehicle on the roundabout on Orana Rd and Brunswick Valley Way.
‘This driver then fled the scene and stole another vehicle and drove away from the scene. Police were able to track his location through a mobile phone in the vehicle.
‘The 31-year-old man from Tweed Heads, Lukas Cahill, was known to Police, and had outstanding warrants.
‘Police then engaged in a pursuit with the male who was still driving the stolen BT-50 utility, who failed to stop. The police pursuit was stopped owing to the dangerous driving of the male.
Chase on foot
‘The vehicle was later found near Chillingham (northwest of Murwillumbah), having struck a telegraph pole and police and a police dog chased the male on foot.
‘He was arrested shortly after with the assistance of the Police Dog Unit.
‘The male has been charged with numerous traffic, driving, stealing, drug, warrant, robbery and kidnapping offences.
‘He has been refused bail to appear at the Byron Bay Local Court on November 8’.
