Man ‘out of mind’ in car

A GEELONG man found slumped over the steering wheel of a stranger’s vehicle has told a court he mistakenly believed it was his own car.

Nathan Theobald, 37, was arrested after police were called to Arnott St, Geelong West, about 8.35am last Friday.

The father of one — who was on bail at the time — has been charged with attempted theft of a motor vehicle, resisting emergency workers on duty and drug possession.

He appeared in custody at Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday when he claimed his presence in the vehicle was an innocent mistake.

“I bought my partner a car four days ago. I honestly thought that was my car,” Mr Theobald said.

“I honestly don’t know what happened there. I was totally out of place, out of mind.”

Court documents stated the owner of the Kia sedan went to open the driver’s door when they saw Mr Theobald inside.

Police arrived a short time later and observed the accused man in the driver’s seat, as well as a significant amount of damage around the steering wheel and centre console.

It is alleged Mr Theobald refused to exit the vehicle and resisted police attempts to extricate him, prompting the deployment of OC spray.

He was later found carrying a snaplock bag allegedly containing 16 Xanax tablets and 10 unidentified blue pills.

The court heard Mr Theobald had been granted bail nine days earlier with strict conditions, including a ban on driving any motor vehicle.

He continues to face charges laid earlier this year, including one count of carjacking stemming from an alleged incident in Bell Post Hill on January 10.

Prosecutor Senior-Constable Siobhan Daly opposed bail, stating police held “significant” concerns Mr Theobald would commit further offences.

Magistrate Franz Holzer refused bail after assessing Mr Theobald as a potential danger to the public. Mr Theobald will return to court on June 4.