By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A stolen car was wrecked during a police chase through Casey after it was spotted in Endeavour Hills.
The owner has been left shattered after being told of the damage to her new car, which follows a run of misfortune.
Julia Trofimiuk’s silver Holden Cruze was stolen from under her nose on Wednesday 11 February when she left her Teal Court house in Narre Warren South unattended for just 10 minutes to chase after her pet Staffy cross, Beemer, who had escaped down the street about 6pm.
She bought the car only two months ago and the devastation is part of a series of misfortune for Ms Trofimiuk, whose father is battling cancer.
It is thought that the people who stole the car got into the house while Ms Trofimiuk was out so she has now changed all the locks on her house.
“I was really upset, we’ve had a real string of bad luck lately,” Ms Trofimiuk said.
“I just can’t believe someone would do this.”
Ms Trofimiuk’s car had been missing for five days when police were called to an Endeavour Hills property on Monday last week about 11am, where the car had been sighted.
When police arrived a man drove off in the car and officers were forced to call off their pursuit when the chase reached speeds of up to 140km/h in an 80km/h zone during which the car side swiped a tree.
The police Air Wing was also called in to track the driver.
It’s understood the offender pulled over to the side of the road when contacted by officers and then took off again.
Police laid stop strips on Thompsons Road near Merinda Park Railway Station and managed to puncture two of the car’s tyres, but the man is alleged to have kept driving on just two rims and two wheels.
The offender’s luck ran out when he pulled into a BP service station at the end of Thompsons Road and police cornered him.
The man was interviewed by police this week and will appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court next month.
The day the car was stolen Ms Trofimiuk, 28, said she left her keys on the bench before chasing after her dog which had jumped over the fence and run away.
It’s believed the dog was coaxed from the property.
“I heard the fence rattling, and I ran out the back door and saw Beemer running down the street,” Ms Trofimiuk said.
“I ran after him but left the back door unlocked. Some people stopped in their cars and helped me get my dog back. I was only gone for maybe about 10 minutes.
“By the time I got back home, my car was gone.
“I thought my fiance had come home, grabbed the keys and come out to look for us, but evidently someone has come into the house through the back door, grabbed the keys off the bench and driven off with my car.”
The car’s wheels and suspension were ruined during the pursuit and Ms Trofimiuk is unsure whether she and her fiance, Luke, will be able to pay for the repairs.
It’s believed Ms Trofimiuk’s stolen car was also used in a burglary involving two offenders on Friday 13 February at St Peters College in Cranbourne.
CCTV footage shows raiders using a sledge hammer to break through a window at the school and attempting to steal a safe.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
