Benjamin Richard Freeman, 44, is charged with driving dangerously while pursued by police, theft of a vehicle, drug-driving, unlicensed driving, possessing methamphetamines, dealing with cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime and committing a schedule two offence while on bail.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit’s First Constable Amy Williams said a red Toyota LandCruiser was stolen from McNamara Rd in Toolamba at 3.54am on December 16.
Police spotted the vehicle later that morning as it ran a red light on the corner of Wyndham St and Vaughan St in Shepparton.
They continued to observe it as it crossed the causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna about 11am, before stop sticks were deployed by police in Elizabeth St in Mooroopna.
First Constable Williams said the car was allegedly driven in a manner that was reckless and dangerous, and civilian cars had to pull off the road as it overtook other cars.
The LandCruiser was then driven down McFarlane Rd in Mooroopna and into bushland near Reedy Swamp, before driving back out of the bush on to Cemetery Rd at 11.18am.
Two tyres on the LandCruiser were disabled with stop sticks deployed by police, and police turned on their flashing lights as it came out on to Echuca Rd, First Constable Williams said.
The vehicle drove into a table drain and rolled near Alexander Rd.
Mr Freeman, the driver, was arrested at the crash site and allegedly tested positive in a drug-driving test for methamphetamines
The court was told police seized a zip-lock bag with a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamines, and $2100 they allege is the proceeds of crime.
First Constable Williams also told the court Mr Freeman had 18 priors for disqualified driving and seven for driving while suspended.
He was also on three counts of bail at the time of the crash.
First Constable Williams said police had spoken to Mr Freeman’s mother and she told them she did not want him to be bailed there; however, Mr Freeman’s defence counsel said the defence had spoken to Mr Freeman’s mother and she told them a different story.
The defence counsel withdrew her bail application after magistrate Olivia Trumble told her she did not think she was going to be able to get her client over the threshold needed for him to be granted bail.
Mr Freeman was remanded in custody to next face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in early January.
No pleas have been entered to any of the charges.
