Scary footage from inside a stolen Audi R8 shows the car moving in oncoming traffic while speeding 160km / h through suburban streets.
The high-performance vehicle was parked outside a couple’s home in Newcastle when it was snatched away just before 3pm on December 20th.
As the vehicle leaves the Mereweather home, the dash camera automatically turns on and captures the thief’s dangerous joy ride.
Dash camera footage taken inside a stolen Audi caught the car in front of vehicles and chased through stop signs during a dangerous joy ride in Newcastle
The car jerked through the city, chased through red traffic lights (one in the photo) and drove in and out of the lanes
Surveys posted online show the driver speeding down the road and speeding in the opposite lane to overtake other cars.
The supercar is close to colliding with other motorists before speeding back into the right lane.
The engine can be heard roaring as the sports car tears through suburban streets, moving across multiple silences and giving signs at speeds close to 100 km above the speed limit.
As the car reaches a traffic light, the driver swerves in front of the opposite lane to turn right, almost colliding with an oncoming four-wheel drive.
The car continues on the highway, turning corners, limiting speed bumps and squeaking to other vehicles while speeding through stop signs.
At one point, the driver stops while smoke blows from the front of the vehicle and encourages pedestrians to jump into the car.
“Come on mate, come in here!” he shouted.
Owners Luke and Bec (pictured) said they estimate the damage to their Audi is $ 100,000
The Audi R8 was stolen from a Mereweather house in Newcastle on December 20 (stock image)
If they refuse, he drives down the road, tears a turn and then rushes back towards them, forcing the group to jump out of the Audi’s road to the curb.
The car continues with the thrilling ride through Newcastle, charging through red lights, falling under gutters and almost falling into other cars before the driver climbs into a driveway to show the vehicle to friends.
The man then takes the car to another property, opens a side gate and drives it into a backyard.
Owners Luke and Bec, who only purchased the Audi three months ago, immediately notified police and were able to locate the vehicle with the help of the Facebook community.
Luke said he estimates the damage is about $ 100,000.
‘He absolutely messed up this car. [Going] At 87 km / h he hit gutters on both sides. “One on top of the other,” he told 9News.
“Imagine hitting someone through the stop sign at 120 mph.”
Three days later, police arrested Darren Johns, 49, in a house on Nooroo Close, Windale.
He was taken to the Belmont Police Department and charged with car theft, reckless driving, driving while unlicensed, and breaking into a home to steal more than $ 60,000.
The driver pulled up next to a group of pedestrians and asked to hop in the car for a ride.
The car continued to chase through the city, violating the road rules dangerously and nearly colliding with several other vehicles
Police will allege that he committed several driving offenses, including crossing double white lines to overtake vehicles, driving on the wrong side of the road and driving at about 160 km / h at a 60 km / h speed.
He was denied bail on December 24 to appear in Newcastle local court.
Newcastle Police Commissioner Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said Johns’ horrific driving was one of the worst examples of dangerous driving he had ever seen.
“It is dangerous to drive at an extreme level – driving through residential areas and stop signs over pedestrian crossings,” he said.
‘Drive more than 160 km / h in built-up areas, drive other motorists over double uninterrupted lines and drive on the wrong side of the road.
“This way of running is endangering dozens of lives.”
Darren Johns, 49, three years later, has been arrested and is facing several charges in connection with the incident.