Terrifying images of the camera inside a stolen Audi R8 show the car heading towards oncoming traffic, while traveling at 160 km / h on suburban streets.
The high-performance vehicle was parked outside a couple’s home in Newcastle when it was ripped off shortly before 3pm on December 20th.
As the vehicle left the Mereweather house, the starting camera started automatically, capturing the dangerous ride of the thief’s joy.
Images of the camera taken from inside a stolen Audi captured the car turning in front of the vehicles and crossing the stop signs during a dangerous walk in Newcastle
The car drove through the city, running through red traffic lights (one in the picture) and closing in and out of lanes
The footage posted online shows the driver driving on the road, crossing the opposite lane of high-speed traffic to overtake other cars.
The supercar approaches the frontal crash with other drivers, before quickly starting back on the right lane.
The engine can be heard roaring as the sports car breaks through the suburban streets, breaking through several stops and giving signs at speeds close to 100 km above the speed limit.
As the car reaches a traffic light, the driver heads in front of the opposite lane of traffic to turn right, almost colliding with approaching all-wheel drive.
The car continues at speed on the road, drifting around corners, limiting speed bumps and ringing at other vehicles while speeding through stop signs.
At one point, the driver stops as smoke comes out of the front of the vehicle and urges pedestrians to jump into the car.
– Come on, buddy, come in here! he shouted.
Owners Luke and Bec (pictured) said they estimated the damage to Audi was $ 100,000.
Audi R8 was stolen from a house in Mereweather, Newcastle, on December 20 (picture image)
When they refuse, he goes on the road, breaks a turn, then runs back to them, forcing the group to jump on the curb of the Audi road.
The car continued its journey through Newcastle, loading with red lights, descending over ditches and almost colliding with other cars, before the driver entered an alley to show his friends the vehicle.
The man then takes the car to another property, opens a side gate and drives it to a yard.
Owners Luke and Bec, who bought Audi just three months ago, immediately alerted police and managed to track the vehicle with the help of the Facebook community.
Luke said he estimates the damage is about $ 100,000.
“It simply came to our notice then. [Going] 87km / ha hit gutters on both sides. Over one, then the other, “he told 9News.
“Imagine if he hit someone doing 120 km / h with that stop sign.”
Three days later, police arrested 49-year-old Darren Johns at a home in Nooroo Close, Windale.
He was taken to the Belmont police station and charged with car theft, reckless driving, driving while unlicensed and breaking into a house to steal more than $ 60,000.
The driver stopped next to a group of pedestrians and asked them to jump in the car for a ride
The car continued to drive fast through the city, dangerously violating traffic rules and nearly colliding with several other vehicles.
Police will claim to have committed several driving offenses, including crossing double white lines to overtake vehicles, driving on the wrong side of the road and speeding around 160 km / h in an area of 60 km / h.
He was denied bail in Newcastle Local Court on December 24.
Newcastle Police Commander Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said Johns’ horrible driving is one of the worst examples of dangerous driving he has ever seen.
“Driving is extremely dangerous – speeding through residential areas and stop signs over pedestrian crossings,” he said.
“Traveling over 160 km / h in built-up areas, overtaking other drivers over uninterrupted double lines and crossing to the wrong side of the road.
“This way of driving leads to dozens of lives in danger.”
Darren Johns (pictured), 49, was arrested three days later and faces several charges in connection with the incident.