The hunt began when police pursued tipper truck, which had been stolen from Surry Hills in Sydney, around the Gloucester area on Monday. Officers later discovered the truck hidden on a property in the area.

Then, on Tuesday, police spotted a second stolen vehicle near Musswellbrook. The utility, a Toyota Hilux which had been fitted with stolen number plates, had been used in a drive-off at a service station in Scone around 10am that morning.

Muswellbrook police pursued the vehicle, but the chase ended two minutes later when the Hilux crashed through a farm fence near Halcombe Hill.

Police say they pursued the driver on foot as he fled across an adjacent rail line and into farm paddocks. The suspect, police have said, was unaware he had fled into the grounds of St Heliers Prison Farm.

The man was arrested and taken to the Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with 15 offences including stealing, stealing a motor vehicle, police pursuit, fraud, driving in a manner dangerous, unlicensed driver, trespass, resisting police, goods in custody and custody of knife.

He was refused bail and ordered to appear in the Muswellbrook Local Court on Wednesday.