Police have laid charges after a man was pulled from his vehicle and stabbed and a female driver had her car stolen after being threatened with a scalpel while travelling with two children in Hamilton.
The alleged incidents began just before 6pm Thursday when police allege a man opened the driver side door of a car parked on Beaumont Street, Hamilton and demanded a 26-year-old man get out, before pulling him from the vehicle.
A brief struggle ensued and the driver was stabbed in the chest with a scalpel, before the alleged offender ran off south along Beaumont Street.
A short time later, police claim a man opened the passenger door of a white Ford Kuga stopped at traffic lights on the corner of Tudor and Beaumont Streets and allegedly threatened the 33-year-old female driver with a scalpel.
The woman - who had two young children in the car - circled the block before the man tried to undo one of the child's restraints. The woman pulled over and removed the children from the car, before the man drove away in the vehicle.
In between those incidents police said a man also walked into a chemist on Beaumont Street where he demanded cash and stole drinks.
Newcastle City Police were notified of all three incidents and commenced extensive searches and inquiries in the nearby area.
About 7pm, Hunter Region Enforcement Squad officers saw a white Ford Kuga on Darby Street at Cooks Hill.
Police activated their warning lights and sirens, but it is alleged the driver failed to stop and a pursuit began.
The pursuit continued through Merewether, before the car was stopped at Flowerdale Avenue.
The driver - a 39-year-old Queensland man - was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of robbery armed with an offensive weapon, aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm, and police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed.
He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
