A Victorian man has been charged after he allegedly crossed the border without a permit and led police on a 200-kilometre high-speed pursuit towards Canberra.
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NSW Police said officers from Operation Border Closure were conducting permit checks at the Hume Highway, South Albury, when they stopped a Mazda MX5 about 11.40am.
Police spoke to the 51-year-old Warrnambool driver who allegedly said he did not have a permit but wanted to drive to Canberra.
After checks, police uncovered he had previously made unsuccessful attempts to cross the border.
Police refused his entry to NSW and he was directed to return to Victoria with a police escort.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers began to escort the vehicle to the East Street off-ramp but police allege the vehicle took off at speed onto the Hume Highway on-ramp.
Another police officer was conducting speed enforcement duties on the Borella Road on-ramp and detected the vehicle's speed at 172km/h in the 110km/h zone.
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A police pursuit was initiated.
Road spikes were deployed which deflated one tyre, but police said the man continued to drive at speed with one wheel on its rims.
The police pursuit went on for about 200 kilometres until the vehicle ran out of fuel and stopped near Jugiong.
Police arrested the man and took him to Gundagai Police Station where he was charged with driving, speeding and COVID related offences.
He has been refused bail to appear at Wagga Local Court on Tuesday.
