The 43-year-old man allegedly armed himself with a knife and doused the interior of the car, as well as himself, in petrol after leading police on a pursuit from Albion Park into the Wollongong CBD.

Police said about 8.50pm on Sunday, March 18, a dog squad vehicle attempted to stop a Ford Falcon, which was allegedly observed without number plates travelling north on Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail.

The vehicle allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, which continued north, entering the Wollongong CBD.

The vehicle stopped a short distance from the Wollongong Hospital Emergency Department.

The driver allegedly armed himself with a knife and doused the interior of the car, as well as himself, in petrol.

An operation started to negotiate with man during which he allegedly rammed three police vehicles and performed a ‘burnout’.

About 10.20pm State Protection Group officers took the man into custody, during which he sustained minor injuries.

He remained in Wollongong Hospital for treatment to a dog bite.

The man was charged on Thursday with with 18 offences including police pursuit, three counts of using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, three counts of destroying or damaging property, seriously injuring an animal used for law enforcement, two counts of assaulting police and possessing in a public place non-firearm capable of bodily harm.

He was refused bail and will next appear in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, March 28.