UPDATE
The driver of a stolen car who led police on a pursuit through Sutherland Shire on Friday night has been charged with several offences.
Drama unfolded earlier in the day at about 8am in Aboukir Street, Rockdale, where a worksite manager confronted a man allegedly changing the number plate on a vehicle. The manager told police the driver threatened him with what appeared to be a firearm before fleeing.
St George Police allege this event is linked to an incident at a Taren Point fast food outlet later that day, when a pregnant woman was confronted by the man who had two machetes. The woman was not injured and contacted police.
Investigations revealed the man also spoke with a woman who was known to him in Florida Street, Sylvania, causing her to be concerned for her safety.
That was when police spotted him at Sylvania, and followed him before ending the pursuit because he was driving erratically.
The incident ended at Gymea, where after colliding with a police car and injuring two officers, the driver refused arrest before being forced to get out of his car at gunpoint.
The male and female officers were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and have since been discharged.
The man, 29, from The Oaks, was charged with 11 offences including two counts of intimidation, not stopping and driving recklessly leading to a police pursuit (two counts of Skye's Law), being unlicensed, driving a vehicle without consent of its owner, two counts of having suspected stolen goods in personal custody, resisting arrest, wielding a knife in a public space and possession of a prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court via AVL on Saturday.
EARLIER
A thief believed to be armed with two weapons caused chaos at Gymea on Friday evening, after leading police on a dangerous pursuit before crashing.
Shortly after 6pm, Sutherland Police started following the male driver of a stolen Holden Trax, after they were told he was possibly armed with a machete and gun.
He failed to stop near Southgate Shopping Centre Sylvania, and after pursuing him further, police terminated the pursuit because he was driving too dangerously.
Officer driving south on the Princes Highway saw him driving in the same direction on the opposite side of the road, before colliding with a police car.
The vehicles were pushed into the south bound lanes of the major road by the impact of the collision.
The driver was arrested and taken to Sutherland Hospital for assessment. The male and female police officers were also treated for minor injuries.
Roads were closed during the incident.
Officers have urged anyone with dash cam footage or images of the incident to contact Sutherland Police.
