BY IAN CROUCH
A man is due to face court next month accused of leading police on a high speed pursuit before crashing his car at East Maitland.
Police received a driving complaint about a black Toyota Echo before spotting the car just after midnight on Tocal Road at Mindaribba.
The driver refused to stop and police gave chase, with speeds allegedly reaching 130 kph in a 60 zone.
Police say the car was then driven into the 7/11 store on Melbourne Street where the driver did a burnout before crashing into a steel bollard.
The driver locked himself in the car and refused to unlock the doors, forcing police to smash a window.
The 29-year-old was arrested and is due to face Maitland Local Court on June 9 charged with Police Pursuit, Not Stop and Dangerous Driving.
Police say if it wasn't for the bollard, the car would've crashed into the shop.
