THE man police allege was behind the wheel during a wild crime spree through South Tamworth has been charged and will face court on Friday
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Denis Bradley Shillingsworth is accused of nine charges and was set to front Tamworth Local Court on Thursday afternoon, after his arrest the night before, but his case was delayed while police completed forensic investigations.
Three officers were injured in the arrest of the 37-year-old in Vera Street on Wednesday afternoon, including a highway patrol officer who reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Shillingsworth is refused bail, charged with taking and driving a stolen vehicle; driving furiously; aggravated taking and driving a motor vehicle while a person is in or on it while armed with a weapon; aggravated taking and driving a vehicle and inflicting actual bodily harm; using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention; three counts of resisting arrest; and assaulting police.
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Senior police said it was one of the most brazen and serious incidents they had seen, and included the man allegedly attempting to steal the highway patrol vehicle and a police weapon.
Three officers were taken to hospital for various injuries but were all released late on Wednesday night.
It all started shortly before 5pm on Wednesday, when police spotted a black Holden Captiva allegedly driving dangerously in Edgeroy Street.
Police activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the car before it allegedly turned to drive directly towards officers, who had to swerve to avoid a collision.
Police followed the Captiva along Edward Street, before it pulled into Vera Street and crashed into a car parked in a driveway.
Both cars erupted in flames, along with the garage.
Police said the driver of the Captiva got out of the car and ran from police, then allegedly attempted to steal a parked motorbike, without success.
He then tried to get into a stationary police vehicle, officers claim.
Police tried to arrest the man and a struggle ensued. Officers said they were forced to use capsicum spray and a taser to subdue him.
Shillingsworth was taken to Tamworth hospital, then back into custody on Thursday.
Police allege the Captiva was stolen from a couple at knifepoint in the middle of a test-drive, off Robert Street.
They pair were not harmed.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
