Overview
- A 67-year-old local, identified in media reports as Donny Hobbs, was arrested after allegedly driving a Land Cruiser ute at officers and then ramming the front foyer of Mudgee Police Station on Friday.
- Officers on scene evacuated the building, pinned the driver to the ground and took him into custody with no reported injuries to staff or members of the public.
- Police have charged the man with damaging property with intent to endanger life, two counts of using an offensive weapon, failing to stop in a police pursuit, reckless driving and carrying a knife in public.
- Authorities say Hobbs had prior dealings with Detective Senior Constable Scott Whale that they describe as consistent with sovereign-citizen–style behaviour and that the incident occurred as Whale’s retirement march was due to begin.
- The station suffered significant front-of-building damage, the driver was remanded to face the Bail Division, and police continue a criminal investigation that could lead to further court action.