WINCHELSEA, VIC. — Police have charged a man who was allegedly caught driving erratically before running out of fuel near Winchelsea yesterday.
Officers first spotted the allegedly stolen silver Ford Falcon sedan travelling east on Princes Highway in Terang on Monday, October 27, about 4.50pm.
Police attempted to intercept the vehicle on Camperdown-Darlington Road in Camperdown, but it allegedly took off at speed.
A short time later, Highway Patrol officers detected the Ford in Larpent and followed it for a short distance.
It allegedly took off again at speed towards Colac, narrowly missing other vehicles and driving in the emergency lanes.
Police thought they’d lost the speedster, until the Ford turned into a service station on Warner Street in Winchelsea about 5.35pm.
The male driver got out of the vehicle for a few seconds, but soon changed his mind about getting fuel when he saw a police van behind him.
He got back into the car and allegedly fled at speed on the wrong side of the road.
The Ford turned back onto Princes Highway and headed east towards Geelong.
No lights, sirens, assistance from Air Wing or stop sticks were required at this point, as the driver came to a stop a short time later when he ran out of fuel.
The 39-year-old Warrnambool man was then arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
He was charged with the theft of a motor vehicle, theft, three counts of failing to stop on a police direction, conduct endangering life and other offences.
The alleged car thief was currently on bail for other matters. One of his bail conditions was ‘not to operate a motor vehicle’
The man was remanded and appeared at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court today.
The Ford Falcon was allegedly stolen from Panmure.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
