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AN armed man remains at large in bushland, after a high speed chase — which ended with the suspect fleeing after pointing a shotgun at a police officer — south of Coffs Harbour early this morning.
Police from the Mid North Coast Highway Patrol stopped a white Toyota Hiace van on the Pacific Highway at North Macksville for a random breath test just before 8am.
The driver sped off and then allegedly pointed a shotgun at police in pursuit.
The van was followed up a dirt road near Valla, about 35km south of Coffs Harbour, and a roadblock was set up.
A short time later, the van approached the roadblock and the driver allegedly once more aimed the shotgun at police.
Police later confirmed the fugitive was 37-year-old David Bell, who it is “believed can assist with the investigation into the incidents on Sunday 11 December 2016â€.
David Bell may be armed and is also wanted on interstate warrants, a NSW Police Force spokesman said.
It’s believe Bell smashed through the electric gate of a private property to elude officers. Sue Davis was at her kitchen window when she heard police sirens — an unusual sound for the sleepy valley just outside Urunga.
“Then I heard an almighty bang and this white van came crashing through our electric gate. Two police cars with all their lights and sirens on were chasing it, they sped right past my window and the van went up the hill and into the forest.â€
A perimeter was established and police called in specialist units, including the PolAir helicopter.
Within half an hour about 10 police cars and dozens of SWAT police officers were on the property and had cordoned off Little Newry Forest.
One shot was later fired from there with police telling Ms Davis the shot came from the suspect.
A police helicopter landed on the Ballards Road property owned by Ms Davis and her husband Tony, who was on the beach walking their dog at the time.
Mr Davis was prevented by police from returning home.
“They told me it was too dangerous,†he said. “My wife was inside the house with a gunman outside.â€
At about 1pm Ms Davis was removed from the house by police and reunited with her husband at the top of their road.
Officers made the decision to call off the hunt for the man about 5pm.
David Bell is
described as being of caucasian appearance, about 175-185cm tall with a solid build and brown hair and has tattoos on his fingers. He was last seen wearing a black top.
Police direct the public not to approach him and, if sighted, to contact triple-0 (000) immediately.