Court told of driver’s alleged wild ride

MOTORISTS came within centimetres of being struck by a stolen car as its driver fled erratically from police in Geelong, a court has heard.

Norlane man Michael Robinson is accused of being behind the wheel of the car as it drove through red lights and on the wrong side of the road between Armstrong Creek and Newcomb last month.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard the Hyundai Accent narrowly avoided collisions with other vehicles as police followed it from a distance.

Mr Robinson appeared in custody yesterday to seek bail on a string of charges including aggravated burglary and car theft.

It is alleged the 22-year-old stole the Hyundai from a home in Grovedale early on July 4 after entering the property through an unlocked window.

The same car was allegedly spotted outside an Ocean Grove home three days later, where police claim Mr Robinson and a teenage accomplice tried to steal a Nissan Navara.

Police allege Mr Robinson was then spotted in a Drysdale driveway attempting to force open a garage door, before fleeing once the resident noticed his presence.

He was arrested later that day after police set up a roadblock in Newcomb, where it is claimed he dumped the car and tried to run away.

The court heard Mr Robinson was already on bail at the time for separate charges including two counts of unlawful assault.

Opposing bail, Geelong CIU Detective Senior Constable Adam Barnes said there were no bail conditions that could alleviate his concerns that Mr Robinson would commit further offences.

Magistrate Bob Kumar took the same view and remanded Mr Robinson in custody.

He will return to court on August 27.