Police were kept busy in and around Hay this week.

Sturt Highway closed due to smoke

The Sturt Highway between Darlington Point and Hay was the scene of multiple incidents on the afternoon of Monday September 2, 2024 and resulted in the closure of a section of the road.

A fire at the cotton gin at Carrathool/Conargo Road intersection caused the highway to be closed in both directions due to a dangerous amount of smoke generated by a fire in the cotton trash . Intense wind conditions prevailed through out the day. Rural Fire Service MIA operational officer, Justin Mackellar said the fire caused a large amount of smoke in the area and made it dangerous for motorists to pass through. RMS was on the scene to advise motorists to detour if possible.

The smoke allegedly caused a truck to crash into another vehicle. No one is believed to have been injured in the incident.

Road spikes end Police chase

Earlier in the day, police were conducting speed enforcement duties along the Sturt Highway when a vehicle was detected allegedly travelling in excess of the 110km/h zone.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, it failed to comply and a pursuit was initiated. Police allege a pursuit of 65km was covered where speeds of 180km/h were reached before road spikes were successfully deployed five kilometres west of Darlington Point. The driver, a 31-year-old man from Ashmont, was arrested at the scene. A female occupant was also in the vehicle but was not arrested. There were no reports of any injuries.

The man was taken to Griffith Police Station and charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, class A motor vehicle > 45km/h – estimated and two outstanding war rants.

He was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

Indecent expose and intimidate Police

Police arrested a Hay man for indecent exposure and intimidation last week. Police received a number of calls regarding a drug-affected man walking around without shirt on talking to him early last Tuesday morning. When police attempted to talk to him, the man allegedly became aggressive and exposed himself to police. Not long afterwards, the same man allegedly threatened two women with a hammer in Lindsay Street.

Police drew a taser on the man and arrested him. He was refused bail to appear before Griffith Local Court on Wednesday September 4, 2024, charged with obscene exposure, two counts of intimidation and intimidating a police officer.