By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A CAR theft victim foiled the thief by chasing and letting down air from a tyre of his stolen vehicle.
Jesse Van Eijk, 22, had stolen the Corolla from a home in Dandenong about 10.30pm on 6 November, a court heard on 4 April.
The male victim was awoken by his girlfriend who heard the car engine revving. He ran out to the front lawn and saw his car being driven away.
Later that night the victim sighted the vehicle being driven twice and in Dalgety Street he was able to catch up with it and let down one of the tyres.
The next morning, police received reports of suspicious behaviour involving a man changing a car tyre in Chestnut Grove, Doveton.
Van Eijk was attending to the Corolla, which had a damaged front right wheel. He told police he’d already used the spare to replace a flat rear tyre.
In the car police found a cap gun. The gun’s caps and the Corolla’s keys were in the accused’s pocket.
An unlicensed Van Eijk told police that he’d bought the car from an unknown male in Narre Warren for $250 but was unable to produce any paperwork.
The accused claimed the gun was in the car when he ‘bought’ it.
Van Eijk had been arrested on an outstanding warrant after being found drunk at Dandenong railway station on 2 April.
Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard that Van Eijk was living on the street at the time because his family refused to let him live at their home.
He had failed to complete most of the required hours of a current community work order.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen told Van Eijk that “you’re on a cusp and could wobble either way”, noting the accused’s youthfulness, drug-and-alcohol issues and lack of prior convictions.
Mr Vandersteen said that Van Eijk’s life could turn around if he found stable accommodation and a job.
On the other hand, Van Eijk wouldn’t want to continue to have stints in custody into his 30s, the judge said.
Van Eijk was convicted and put on a supervised community corrections order with drug, alcohol and mental health treatment.
He was disqualified from driving for six months.
