Man allegedly drove at twice the speed limit during police chase

He is charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, two counts of theft of a vehicle, two counts of theft, two counts of damaging property, driving dangerously while being pursued by police, two counts of trespassing with intent to steal, burglary, failing to stop on police direction and unlicensed driving.

Cobram Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Kim Sneddon told the court Mr Wells committed these offences in Shepparton, Mooroopna, Kialla, Numurkah, Cobram, Yarrawonga and Lemnos between 8pm on Monday, July 22, and 8am on Tuesday, July 23.

Det Sen Constable Sneddon said Mr Wells stole a white 2001 Mazda BT600 ute worth $1500 from a rural farm property in Lemnos some time between 8pm on July 22, and 8am on July 23.

Mr Wells attempted to commit a burglary and did $6000 of property damage to the shopfront window at Artavilla Emporium on Station St in Cobram at about 2.40am on July 23, Det Sen Constable Sneddon said.

The court heard Mr Wells allegedly stole a $1500 1997 Toyota HiLux tray ute and a $2000 Peerless air compressor at Yarrawonga on July 23.

Mr Wells and two others allegedly smashed the shopfront windows and doors, valued at about $8000, and stole about $2500 of sportswear and sports clothing from Sport First on Melville St, Numurkah at about 5.17am on July 23, the court heard.

Det Sen Constable Sneddon said Mr Wells was driving dangerously by driving on the wrong side of the road and ignoring red traffic lights at the McLennan St intersection in Mooroopna, before driving on to the Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway towards Shepparton at about 11am on July 23.

Police allege he was also driving into oncoming traffic while turning from Kialla Lakes Dve on to Archer Rd in Kialla.

He didn’t stop driving after police flashed their lights, and recorded a video of himself going at 120km/h with police behind him, Det Sen Constable Sneddon told the court.

Mr Wells was unlicensed and on bail for three other charges when these alleged offences occurred.

Some of the other offences he was already on bail for included theft of between $25,000 and $30,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco pouches and the theft of $2120 in cash from a discount store in June this year.

He is also on bail after stealing $50 worth of fuel from the EG Ampol on High St, Shepparton, in June this year, and theft of a white Toyota HiLux in Shepparton in September 2023.

Det Sen Constable Sneddon told the court there was no reason for Mr Wells to be driving erratically and not following his bail conditions, and he had unnecessarily left a physical and emotional impact on others.

Mr Wells’ defence solicitor Luke Slater acknowledged that the allegations against his client were serious, but questioned some of the police evidence.

Mr Slater told the court that his client’s intellectual disability, Aboriginality, young age and his partner being pregnant with his child, were important things to consider.

Gallawah Aboriginal support co-ordinator Kiarra Justin said Mr Wells has made a “big step” in realising he needed help for his drug issues, and said Gallawah staff would continue to be available to provide him with support.

On granting Mr Wells bail, magistrate Peter Mithen told him if he “put a foot wrong” and committed any more offences, his bail would be “out the window”.

Mr Mithen encouraged Mr Wells to “take the help being offered” to him.

“I’m putting myself on the line,” Mr Mithen said.

“(This) could have easily gone the other way.”

Mr Wells will next appear in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in August.

A condition that he not drive was added to his existing bail conditions.