Teenager rammed Wodonga police car in bid to avoid arrest

The now 21-year-old was just 16 when he rammed the police vehicle on August 7, 2016.

A blue Holden Cruze had been stolen during a break-in at a Lavington home earlier that day.

A court recently heard the teen was behind the wheel outside a block of units on McFarlane Road in Wodonga when officers tried to intercept the vehicle.

Rather than stop, the teenager rammed the front of the police van, smashing its warning lights.

The impact forced a 17-year-old girl in the car to be ejected and fall onto the ground.

The driver then reversed down a driveway onto a nature strip as police tried to smash the windows.

The teenager managed to flee the scene but his passenger gave his name to officers.

IN OTHER NEWS:

A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was found in Albury 10 days later, where he was remanded in custody.

The man also faced court for a 2014 break-in at the Wodonga Catholic College on Bowman Court.

During that incident, the then 14-year-old and two others used rocks to smash their way inside the building.

Lockers were pushed over and rocks used to smash sheeting before the trio went to nearby Melrose Primary School.

The property was ransacked and graffiti sprayed before laptops, seven cameras, cash, a Nintendo Wii and other items were taken.

One of the boys was arrested in nearby parkland with a bum bag and other items and the 14-year-old was found a short time later.

He couldn't explain his actions.

Lawyer Sally Wilson said the two other youths were slightly older and were well known to courts both sides of the Border despite their age at the time.

She said her client's dad died when her client was five and his mum died when he was 15.

"Things really went awry at that point in time," she said.

"It's a difficult sentencing dilemma because of the serious nature of the offending, but it needs to be in context that he was only 14 and 16 at the time of the offending."

The law for ramming police cars has since changed and the court heard the man was lucky not to be facing more serious charges and mandatory prison.

The man must pay $1000 in compensation for damage to the police car and $63 for the school damage, and was placed on a bond.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: