By Geelong Story Updates
A Norlane man who allegedly rode a stolen motorcycle at 153km/h in a 60 zone before crashing faces more than just a stint in jail.
He could also pay for repairs to the police car that crashed after swerving to avoid his body on the road, according to Corio Traffic Task Unit Senior Sergeant Ken Scott.
Police expect to charge the 27-year-old on summons with a range of offences after a brief but high-speed chase on Anakie Road, Norlane, this week.
Snr Sgt Scott said traffic task unit members with a speed radar initially caught the man travelling at 140km/h on Anakie Road.
The man stopped at traffic lights where the officers asked him to pull over.
“He took off and absolutely gunned it,” Snr Sgt Scott said.
However, Senior Constable Bob De Bono was one of the officers in the police car.
“He’s a motorcycle rider, too, and his speciality is outsmarting motorcycle riders,” Snr Sgt Scott said.
“He catches them every time. It’s almost like he’s got a sixth sense.”
Snr Sgt Scott said Snr Const De Bono and his colleague began chasing the rider, who reached 153km/h.
But the rider fell after losing control when he turned onto a gravel section of the Geelong bypass project.
Snr Const De Bono and his colleague swerved to miss the man but collided with a large concrete slab beside the road, Snr Sgt Scott said.
“The whole thing only lasted about 10 seconds.”
Snr Sgt Scott said the police were not injured but the rider suffered a “few scratches and bruises”.
The car was left with “moderate” damage.
“She’s in the panel shop now.”
Snr Sgt Scott said the alleged offences, including unlicensed driving and theft of a motorcycle, meant the man would probably receive a bill from the police force’s insurer.
“It’ll probably cost him five grand or so,” he said.
Police later found that the motorcycle had been stolen from Hoppers Crossing earlier in the month.