Parolee on good behaviour order accused of driving at police in stolen Dodge Ram

Police have accused the driver of this allegedly stolen Dodge Ram utility of dangerous driving and driving at police. Photo: ACT Policing.

A Gowrie man is preparing to front court, accused of driving at police in a stolen car while on parole and subject to a good behaviour order.

Police will allege the 23-year-old stole a black Dodge Ram utility from a Gungahlin home sometime between 9:30 pm on Saturday (26 August) and 6:45 am on Sunday (27 August), before it was seen “being driven at high speed in a dangerous and erratic manner” into Monday (28 August).

The vehicle was also allegedly involved in several fail-to-stop incidents, and has been accused of being deliberately driven at police numerous times.

Police were able to puncture the vehicle’s tyres on Namatjira Drive in Weston Creek at about 11:15 am on Monday, and the man was arrested following a short chase on foot.

The Gowrie man is facing 10 charges – two counts of driving a motor vehicle at police, two counts of driving a motor vehicle without consent, two counts of possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime, and single counts of dangerous driving, aggravated dangerous driving, possession of stolen property, and registration plates calculated to deceive.

The second count of driving a motor vehicle without consent relates to the alleged theft of a silver Mercedes SUV from a Moncrieff home last week (Tuesday, 22 August).

Officer in Charge of Operation TORIC, Detective Acting Inspector Elizabeth Swain, said police were astounded by the “blatant disregard for community safety” allegedly shown by the accused.

“The driving behaviour of this man put himself, police, and other road users at significant risk,” she said.

“Police respond quickly to reports of dangerous driving behaviour on ACT road as it endangers the lives of innocent members of our community.

“When this is linked to stolen motor vehicles and high-risk, high-harm behaviour, you will become a target of Operation TORIC and we will apprehend you.”

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the black Dodge Ram being driven dangerously on Sunday (27 August) or Monday (28 August), or who may have dash-cam footage of any incidents involving this vehicle.

The vehicle is believed to have been driven in various locations across the ACT, including Gundaroo Drive, Horse Park Drive, Pialligo Avenue, the Monaro Highway, Lanyon Drive, Kambah Pool Road, and Damala Street (Waramanga).

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting reference 7522453. Information can be provided anonymously.