Wodonga Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following an alleged evade in a stolen vehicle in Wodonga yesterday afternoon.
It is alleged a stolen white Ford Ranger Utility was involved in a petrol drive-off at a service station on the corner of High Street and Thomas Mitchell Drive in Wodonga about 1pm.
Police attended and the driver allegedly sped off onto Lawrence Street on the wrong side of the road.
The utility, which was allegedly stolen from a construction yard in Baranduda between Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 April, was later seen driving erratically around Wodonga.
The vehicle crossed the border into NSW, before returning to Victoria where it was seen driving erratically on Lincoln Causeway.
A short time later, officers spotted the stolen vehicle at a service station on Melbourne Road in Wodonga.
The utility allegedly crashed into a stationary police vehicle before taking off at speed.
There were no physical injuries.
Police deployed stop sticks on the Murray Valley Highway, near the intersection of Bay Road, and the vehicle continued on its rims.
It came to a stop near a service station on the Hume Highway.
Police deployed OC spray and the driver was arrested at the scene.
The 31-year-old Wodonga man has been charged with 23 offences:
– Theft (x2)
– Fail to stop on police direction (x2)
– Reckless conduct endangering serious injury
– Reckless conduct endanger life
– Dangerous driving whilst pursued by police (x2)
– Drive in a manner dangerous (x2)
– Damage to emergency service vehicle by reckless driving
– Reckless exposure of police officer to risk by driving (x2)
– Resist police (x4)
– Possess Cannabis
– Possess Xanax without prescription
– Unlicensed driving
– Drive vehicle whilst exceeding PCD
– Fail oral fluid test within three hours of driving
He will appear at Wodonga Magistrates’ Court later today.
