The suspect drove across a local GAA club’s pitch during the pursuit
Two police officers have been injured after their car was “rammed head-on” during a pursuit in Co Tyrone which saw the suspect drive across a GAA pitch.
Officers were on patrol in the Moor Road area of Coalisland on Thursday, October 2, when they spotted a vehicle with no insurance and tried to get it to stop. It then fled from officers who started a pursuit which led to the police car being “reverse rammed” by the suspect.
The vehicle then continued to flee from officers before later ramming the police car again head-on, leaving two officers injured. The suspect continued to flee from officers and entered the grounds of a local GAA club and drove across their pitch before fleeing on foot.
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A 36-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, which include criminal damage, dangerous driving and driving when unfit through drink or drugs, following a chase on foot.
A 29-year-old woman in a different vehicle with a young child was also arrested for refusing to let police pass and moving her car to block them during the pursuit.
Both remain in police custody at this time.
Chief Inspector Brown said: “Officers on patrol in the Moor Road area on Thursday, 2 October attempted to stop a vehicle with no insurance. It subsequently sped off, resulting in a police pursuit, during which the police car was reverse-rammed by the suspect’s vehicle before it continued to drive dangerously without consideration for other road-users. “At a later stage in the pursuit the offending vehicle rammed the same police vehicle again, this time head-on, with two officers injured as a result. “The pursuit terminated after the suspect’s vehicle entered the grounds of a local GAA club, driving across the pitch in an effort to evade police, before the driver made off on foot. Some damage was caused to the pitch as a result and police have subsequently been engaging with club officials. “Following a foot chase, officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of criminal damage, along with a number of driving offences, including dangerous driving, driving when unfit through drink or drugs and failing to stop for police. “A 29-year-old woman who was driving a second vehicle with a young child on board and refused several times to let police pass, moving her car to actively block the officers during the pursuit, was also arrested after the incident on suspicion of obstructing police, dangerous driving, using a mobile phone while driving and cruelty to children. “Both remain in police custody at this time. “Thankfully, the two police officers did not sustain serious injuries, however, it is unacceptable that those working to keep their community safe should be targeted in this way. Our priority is their safety and welfare and, as an organisation, we will ensure that support is available where it’s needed.
“A police vehicle was also damaged during today’s pursuit and had to be recovered as a result, which also impacts upon the local community. “Our enquiries are continuing and anyone with information, or who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage which could assist with our enquiries can contact police on 101, quoting reference 542 of 02/10/25. “Information can also be submitted online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org. ”
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