A man accused of possessing weapons, illicit drugs, and leading police on a dangerous chase has been refused bail after appearing in court. Benjamin Lance Trent, 30, faced the bail court on Wednesday, May 20, charged with 18 offences and did not apply for bail.
Operation Amarok targets domestic violence offenders
The charges stem from a police operation targeting dangerous domestic and family violence offenders in the Illawarra and South Coast. Officers from the Southern Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders team attended a home in Elder Crescent, Nowra, on Thursday, May 14, during Operation Amarok XIII. Although no one was home at the time, a search of the backyard shed allegedly uncovered a firearm stock, a firearm mechanism, six 12-gauge shotgun rounds, and one spent 12-gauge shotgun round.
Pursuit and arrest
Following inquiries, police spotted Trent driving a utility vehicle on Coller Road, Ulladulla, around 12:15 pm on Tuesday, May 19. When police directed him to stop, he allegedly failed to comply, sparking a pursuit. The vehicle reportedly travelled south on the Princes Highway and mounted the footpath, prompting officers to terminate the chase due to safety concerns. The car was later located on Wyoming Avenue, Burrill Lake. Trent allegedly reversed into a police vehicle in an attempt to escape before being apprehended.
During the arrest, Trent allegedly resisted and spat at officers. He was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with 18 offences, including:
- Acquiring a firearm part without authority
- Acquiring ammunition for a firearm without a licence
- Two counts of breaching an apprehended violence order
- Stealing a motor vehicle
- Driving recklessly in a police pursuit
- Unlawful entry onto enclosed land
- Using an offensive weapon to prevent detention
- Resisting arrest
- Three counts of assaulting police
- Possessing a knife in public
- Committing an indictable offence after a previous conviction
- Possessing a prohibited drug
Trent is due to reappear before Nowra Local Court on Tuesday, June 2. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to crack down on domestic violence-related crimes and weapon possession in the region.
