A 25-year-old woman claiming to be on her way to get tested for COVID-19 allegedly spat at police while resisting arrest after a car chase through south-west Sydney last night.
Police in Greenacre attempted to stop an Audi on Greenacre Rd just after 5pm on Friday. As police did a U-turn, the Audi allegedly accelerated away, travelling at no less than 120km/h in a 50km/h zone.
The Audi was allegedly seen disobeying a red light at the intersection of Mimosa Rd before crossing unbroken lines to overtake a vehicle and turn right into Macquarie St. After allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign, the Audi turned right into Roberts Rd and stopped in heavy traffic.
An officer, who had been following the Audi, approached the vehicle and spoke to the driver, a 25-year-old woman, who was placed under arrest; however, she refused to get out of the vehicle.
She was physically removed and handcuffed, claiming she was on her way to be tested for COVID-19 before resisting and repeatedly coughing in the officer’s face.
The woman was escorted to the police vehicle, and as the officer reached inside, she struck her head against the vehicle window and spat at the officer.
She continued to resist despite a warning from police and was physically restrained on the ground after again spitting in the officer’s face.
More police attended the scene, and the woman was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with dangerous driving, speeding, driving while disqualified, and assault.
The woman was granted bail after appearing at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
She was charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45 km/h, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and assault officer in execution of duty.
While the woman was not displaying any symptoms of coronavirus, the officer has undergone COVID-19 testing as a precaution.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said this kind of behaviour towards police was not acceptable.
“Police will not tolerate being spat at in any climate, let alone the one we’re facing right now. It’s as simple as that,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.