The trail of destruction began when a Nissan Navara was allegedly stolen from a Cardiff address shortly before 5.30am.

It is alleged the ute was driven onto the oval of Belmont Christian College about 11am.

Police said the ute caused “significant” damage to the turf.

An hour later police allege the driver struck a parked car at a home on Beach Street in Belmont South.

The ute was then spotted by officers travelling north on the Pacific Highway at Belmont, where it is alleged to have reached speeds of up to 140km/h in a 90km/h zone.

The ute passed through several suburbs before on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass before arriving at Lookout Road in New Lambton, where it collided with another car.

The ute, which was totalled, was abandoned on McCaffrey Drive in Rankin Park.

Four people fled the scene on foot.

They were hunted down by a significant number of police, including plainclothes detectives and the dog squad.

One of the teens suffered a dog bite and was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he recovered under police guard.

The teenagers were questioned by police before two were charged.

The 18-year-old driver was charged with 10 offences including police pursuit (Skye’s Law), negligent driving and stealing a motor vehicle.

Another 17-year-old boy was charged over the theft of the ute.

Two girls – 16 and 14 years old – will be dealt with under the Young Offender’s Act. 

Two of the teenagers will front Belmont Local Court later this month.

Witness reports suggested the driver darted in between traffic, mounted a median strip and drove on the wrong side of the road.

“He just ran into anything that was in his way,” one said. “We were so worried he was going to hurt an innocent person.”