Alleged driver in CBD crash pursued by friends of stolen car's owner
A young man was on bail when he allegedly drove a stolen car on the wrong side of the road in Melbourne's CBD before being rammed and dramatically arrested on Friday.
Jonathan Ronchi, 22, from Wyndham Vale appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday in relation to the incident on Kings Way, near the Burnley Tunnel on-ramp, on Friday afternoon.
He faces nine charges including car theft and reckless conduct likely to cause serious injury.
Mr Ronchi confirmed in court that he was on bail and undergoing drug treatment. He was remanded to reappear on May 9.
Court documents show he had been bailed previously over a number of alleged car thefts and was disqualified from driving.
Mr Ronchi stole the Skyline on Friday morning, then drove around the north and west of the city for several hours, observed by the Victoria Police Air Wing, documents allege.
He was spotted at a BP in Coburg, a McDonald's in Sunshine and at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong, the police summary says.
At 4.45pm on Friday the Skyline was recognised on Kings Way by two men driving a Ford XR6 who were friends of the car’s owner. They challenged Mr Ronchi and a verbal argument broke out.
Shortly afterwards Mr Ronchi allegedly swerved in and out of traffic while being pursued by police and the men in the Ford.
When the Skyline came to a halt in heavy traffic, a male passenger in the Ford approached and tried to open the door.
Mr Ronchi then allegedly made a U-turn and entered the Burnley Tunnel on-ramp, colliding with two vehicles, then an unmarked police car.
Court documents allege he tried to flee on foot before police arrested him.
Two women aged 18 and 25 who were also arrested at the scene have been charged with car theft and drug use.
with AAP