Two men have been arrested after a high-risk, two-hour police pursuit in western Sydney which led to police shooting at a car and using a Taser on a driver.
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Police say the pursuit was sparked after a man was seen suspiciously swapping number plates on a black Holden Commodore sedan in Lalor Park about 8.15am on Thursday.
The car was then spotted about 9.30am and a chase began when the driver failed to stop as directed, NSW Police said.
As the car sped east through multiple suburbs, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and PolAir were called in to help.
A senior constable who attempted to grab the slowing vehicle about 10.40am was flung across the bonnet of a nearby police car when the driver accelerated, the force said.
Police fired shots towards the sedan before it was driven onto the motorway.
A short time later, a 21-year-old man who jumped out of the car was arrested while the driver continued onto the M4 and the Great Western Highway.
"He crossed on to the wrong side of the road, he drove on foot paths and put the community at risk," Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell told reporters.
Road spikes were deployed unsuccessfully about 11.15am as the car continued to travel west.
Specialist operatives conducted a high-risk vehicle stop about 11.40am, stopping the vehicle at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.
"The operatives deployed a Taser to effect the arrest of the driver, also aged 21," a police statement read.
"The man was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Katoomba Hospital, where he remains under police guard."
The passenger was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he is being questioned.
Both men are known to police.
The senior constable from the Raptor Squad was assessed by paramedics but did not require treatment and has returned to duty.
Mr Waddell said the circumstances regarding the shots fired by police during the pursuit remained subject to investigation.
"We will obviously investigate two things: one the criminal offences and also the actions on our police," he said.
"There is footage and we will review that footage."
Three officers were taken to hospital, one with a shoulder injury and two with minor injuries.
The two men arrested are expected to be charged later on Thursday.
"There will be serious charges and there was significant risk posed to the officers and the community," Mr Waddell said.
Australian Associated Press
