A man who led police on a “furious chase” on a pushbike has appeared in court facing a number of charges.
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Damien Berkovic, 39, of no fixed address, appeared in Nowra Local Court on Friday, September 7 before Registrar Ben Brooks charged with six offences.
He has pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited drug but also faces charges of resisting arrest, riding a bicycle furiously, not wearing a helmet, being in custody of a knife and possessing equipment for administering a prohibited drug.
Court papers said police were patrolling Kalandar Street, Nowra around 12.15am on December 5 last year wanting to speak with Berkovic when they spotted him on an orange Trek mountain bike.
Police said he “sped up dramatically” as he headed east trying to get away.
He “sped up dramatically” - “increased speed” and was “pedalling hard”.
- South Coast Police
Berkovic allegedly “increased speed” and was “pedalling hard” as he crossed a nature strip and travelled down Warramunga Street on the incorrect side of the road, without lights.
He rode along Seccombe Street before turning into Lyrebird Sports Park in an attempt to evade officers.
Police said Berkovic rode the bike into a “swampy” area before falling off and continuing to try to get away on foot.
Officers arrested him and allegedly found a 20 centimetre silver bladed knife in a black sheath strapped to his right ankle with velcro.
He allegedly told police it was for “his own protection”.
Police found a small black bum bag nearby which contained two small heat sealed plastic bags which had a crystal like substance inside.
Testing later revealed it was 0.89 grams of methylamphetamine or as it is commonly known, ice.
Officers also allegedly found a glass water pipe, used for administering the drug.
He is due to reappear in court on September 21.
Read more: Court/Crime.