A MAN has been refused bail to face court on Tuesday after allegedly ramming a police car at Maitland.
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Police were patrolling Verge Street at Telarah about 12.20am when they attempted to pull over a Subaru Outback.
It is alleged the Subaru drove into a dead end before deliberately reversing and hitting the front of a police vehicle.
The alleged impact damaged the front bumper, police said.
Officers stopped the car and spoke to the driver, 24. They searched the vehicle and allegedly found cannabis and methylamphetamine.
Police will allege the man fled when they told him he would be arrested. After a short foot pursuit he eluded officers. The dog unit and additional police were called into the area, eventually finding the 24-year-old hiding under a nearby house.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland police station. The man was charged with negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm), two counts of possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, resist officer in execution of duty, enter enclosed land without lawful excuse and an expired licence.
The Rutherford man was refused bail in Newcastle Local Court on Sunday and will appear at Maitland Local Court on Tuesday.
The arrest comes amid Operation Slow Down, a police blitz of the state's roads that had by Sunday handed out 2301 speeding tickets, conducted 93,244 breath tests and laid 28 drink-driving charges.
It has also recorded 169 major crashes and two fatalities since the operation began at midnight on Friday.
Traffic & Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said there was zero tolerance for reckless behaviour on the roads.
"As tomorrow is a public holiday, we know that many people will be out and about enjoying some extra time off work, and we strongly encourage all road users to slow down and drive to the conditions," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said on Sunday.