A man has been charged with car theft and driving while disqualified after allegedly fleeing police and hiding in a waterway in a reserve in Sydney's north.
Police said that at about 3am (AEDT) on Friday a man was seen driving a Toyota Hilux without its headlights on along the Warringah Freeway at Artarmon.
Police attempted to stop the driver for a random breath test but he stopped the vehicle on the freeway and ran into nearby bushland.
Officers chasing him saw him enter a waterway and a police search involving a helicopter, police divers and the police dog squad was launched.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at 8.45am and has been charged with taking and driving a vehicle, driving while disqualified and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear in Central Local Court on Friday.
Police said the Hilux was stolen from a building site in Sydney's North Shore sometime after 1.30am on Friday.
