It started with police being called to reports of shots fired in Lake Macquarie and ended with a man arrested in hospital and another charged after police claim he tried to swim away from them.
Two men were ultimately charged over the alleged incident on Friday night, which took place over several hours and involved both PolAir and the Dog Unit being called in to assist.
Police were called to a house on Alhambra Street, Macquarie Hills, after reports of shots fired just before 7pm.
A 49-year-old man inside the home suffered a graze to his wrist but did not need treatment, police said. A woman was also inside but was not injured.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Police were told an Audi hatchback was seen leaving the scene and just before 7.30pm, reports were received of an attempted break-in at a club at Redhead involving an Audi hatchback. Three men were allegedly seen leaving the scene in the car.
Police said a man, aged 21, suffered a serious leg injury while allegedly forcing entry into the premises and was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he was arrested and remained under police guard in a stable condition on Saturday morning.
Just before 10pm, police spotted an Audi hatchback driving on South Street, Windale, with assistance from PolAir. Police claim the car did not stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
It is alleged the driver drove at high speed from Windale to Merewether, before crashing into a gutter at Dixon Park. The driver and passenger got out of the vehicle and ran off, police said.
Police claim the 18-year-old male driver jumped into the ocean and swam away from police, before returning to shore a short time later where he was arrested.
Ammunition and a firearm were alleged to have been found in a door compartment of the Audi.
A 19-year-old man, who police claim was the car's passenger, was found at a home on John Street, Merewether with ammunition in his possession. A firearm was also seized after a search of the property.
It will be alleged the car was stolen from a car park in Ourimbah about 2am on May 1.
The 18-year-old was charged with:
- fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety
- two counts of possess unregistered firearm in public place, possess ammunition without holding licence
- possess loaded firearm public place
- fire firearm in or near public place
- aggravated enter dwelling with intent -in company-not steal
- police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly
- drive conveyance taken without consent of owner
- possess prohibited drug
The 19-year-old was charged with:
- fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety
- two counts of possess unregistered firearm in public place
- possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
- aggravated enter dwelling with intent in company - not steal
- be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner
They were both refused bail and are due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Saturday.
Inquiries continue.
