A driver has faced court for allegedly ramming shopfronts and causing $100,000 worth of damage during a meth-fuelled rampage that ended in a police pursuit.
Daniel Young, a 47-year-old from Rosemeadow, fronted Downing Local Court on Wednesday following the alleged pursuit from Campbelltown, southwest Sydney, to Sydney International Airport in the city’s inner-south.
NSW Police allege Young mounted the footpath on Queen Street, Campbelltown, in a Ford ute at about 1.50am on Wednesday, and allegedly smashed his ute into the front of about 20 stores.
Officers saw the ute enter the carpark of Campbelltown Police Station a short time later, but the driver took off.
Police attempted to stop the ute when it returned to Queen Street and a pursuit was initiated when it failed to pull over.
Young allegedly sped down the Hume Highway and M5 Motorway for 50km until he reached the airport in Mascot.
‘The vehicle has then allegedly entered a restricted Sydney International Airport area controlled by a boom gate before the driver allegedly rammed the gate – causing significant damage,’ NSW Police said in a statement.
‘The vehicle stopped and the driver was arrested by officers attached to Highway Patrol – assisted by the dog squad.
‘He was subject to a roadside drug test, allegedly returning a positive detection to methamphetamine.’
Methamphetamine was also allegedly found inside Young’s phone.
Young was taken to Mascot Police Station and underwent a secondary oral fluid test, which has been sent for further testing.
He fronted court later on Wednesday where he was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, enter/remain on major facility cause damage to facility, exceed speed greater than 45 km/h, destroy or damage property greater than $15000, possess prohibited drug, and breach of bail.
The damage done to about 20 shopfronts in Campbelltown was estimated to be $100,000.
Hannah Moy, owner of the newly-opened Enchanted Trove, shared photos of her damaged store and asked customers to be patient as online orders may be delayed.
‘I will handle this with humour, but please send love because we are pretty gutted,’ she wrote.
Eat Shop Love also sustained massive damage to its storefront after its owners had recently repaired its glass doors following a robbery last week.
Young’s lawyer, Tia Marlo, sought bail for her client.
She argued he had a limited criminal history and needed rehabilitation for an alleged drug addiction.
The application was denied, with the magistrate noting Young was already on bail at the time of the alleged offence and allegedly came close to driving on airport grounds.
Young is expected to return to court on June 17.