Suspected sovereign citizen arrested after ute rams into police station during decorated cop’s send-off

Donny Hobbs, 67, was arrested following the incident and taken to Dubbo Police Station where he was charged with multiple charges.

The charges include destroying/damaging property with intent to endanger life, which could see Hobbs behind bars for up to 25 years if convicted.

Hobbs allegedly drove into police officers as they patrolled on foot along Market Street, Mudgee, about 1.30pm.

Officers attempted to stop Hobbs, but he allegedly failed to follow police directions and left the scene.

Not long after, Hobbs is said to have driven the car to another officer who was on his way to Mudgee police station.

The vehicle then drove into the building on Market Street just as a march was due to take place for Detective Senior Constable Scott Whale, who is retiring after 40 years in the NSW Police Force.

Nine officers immediately ran outside, pinned the driver to the ground and took him into custody.

“[The ute] The entire front wall of the police station was destroyed, causing officers to come running out and stopping everywhere,” said witness Kurtis Goldsmith.

The crash was so loud that locals from the nearby pub heard it.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation has begun. No injuries were reported

Hobbs was later charged with:

Hobbs was refused bail and will appear in court later today.

The 67-year-old is “a big part of tourism in Mudgee” and is known for riding horses and carriages around the town.

Originally from Western Sydney, Whale moved to Mudgee three years ago where he worked for the national crime prevention team.

Today was his last day on the force and around 1.30pm he would be marched out before Hobbs arrived in his Land Cruiser.

Police will allege that Hobbs has had several dealings with Whale and that this was an attack against the detective.

Police allege that their dealings with him over time are consistent with the behavior of a sovereign citizen.