POLICE have charged a man with pursuit and motor vehicle theft offences after he allegedly stole multiple vehicles across Moree this week.

At about 6.30am on Tuesday, March 18, police were patrolling the Gwydir Highway, Moree, when they located two ATVs allegedly stolen from nearby rural properties earlier this week.

After locating the vehicles, officers attached to New England Police District sighted a Toyota utility – also allegedly stolen from a rural property – driving away from the scene.

Police directed the driver to stop; however, when they allegedly failed to stop a pursuit was initiated.

During the pursuit – which travelled 70km through the Pallamallawa and Crooble areas – police were assisted by officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Rural Crime Prevention Team, members of the public and a plane.

The pursuit however was terminated after police lost sight of the utility.

Following inquiries, police located the allegedly stolen vehicle in a shed on a Pallamallawa property about 9am the same day.

Police arrested a 31-year-old man nearby after he was seen allegedly running from the scene and hiding in bushland.

He was taken to Moree Police Station where he was charged with two counts of steal motor vehicle, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended.

The man was refused bail to appear before Inverell Local Court on Wednesday, March 19.