A Mount Pleasant man has been charged with allegedly stealing and crashing a utility after a suspicious tow truck driver contacted Camperdown police.
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Cody Matthews, 27, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with theft of vehicle, theft, unlicensed driving, not wearing a seatbelt, careless driving and intentionally causing criminal damage.
Police allege the man stole a utility from outside a newsagency in Camperdown's Manifold Street on Wednesday about 8am.
The keys were left in the ignition. Mr Matthews allegedly jumped in the vehicle and despite not having a driver's licence, drove away in a westerly direction.
The vehicle was then allegedly involved in a collision about 10 kilometres down the road.
Mr Matthews rang a tow truck driver who knew the utility was stolen and informed emergency services.
Police attended and Mr Matthews was arrested. He was allegedly found in possession of a large sum of cash believed to have been stolen from the car.
He made admissions to the offending, including driving without a seatbelt.
During a bail hearing on Thursday, the court heard the man had a lengthy criminal history that included 24 convictions for committing indictable offences on bail.
Magistrate Simon Guthrie said nothing reassured him "at all" that the risk of the man reoffending in the community could be ameliorated.
He asked the defence for more evidence of potential supports in the community and remanded Mr Matthews in custody until October 18. The bail application will continue on that day.
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Jessica Howard
jessica.howard@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
jessica.howard@warrnamboolstandard.com.au
Andrew Thomson
Long-time senior journalist
Long-time senior journalist
