NT copper in chopper air chase

A policeman said last night he was dragged beside a speeding vehicle as he tried to arrest a suspected drug runner.

Sergeant Peter Lindfield later used a helicopter to stop the man.

"I was a bit shocked by it all -- but these things happen," he said.

Sgt Lindfield escaped without injury.

The drama began when police set up a routine traffic stop to catch alcohol and drug smugglers from entering the dry remote community of Ngukurr, about 300km east of Katherine, on Monday.

A four-wheel-drive was pulled over 12km from the community.

When Sgt Lindfield explained to the male driver that the vehicle would be searched for drugs and alcohol, he started the ignition.

The policeman reached in to get the keys out of the ignition and the driver grabbed his hand and sped off.

"I realised I was in danger," Sgt Lindfield said. "My feet could have easily got caught under the vehicle.

"I tried to steer the vehicle into the bushes with my free hand because he had hold of my other hand.

"But he was accelerating rapidly ... so I pushed myself away."

The driver raced towards Numbulwar with an Aboriginal Community Police Officer following his dust trail.

Sgt Lindfield commandeered a Telstra helicopter parked at the police station and chased him by air.

The chopper hovered low in front of the 4WD about 40km from Numbulwar and the driver gave up.

"It was very satisfying to catch the offender -- there's no way we could have done it without the helicopter," Sgt Lindfield said.

The driver was due to face Katherine Magistrates Court yesterday.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 24th February 2005
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Greg McLean
Email: ntnmail@newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News