Man allegedly swam across river to escape police

Dec 17, 2021

A police helicopter was used to track a driver who later allegedly swam across a river to avoid police. Photo by Luke Hemer

A man was tracked by a police helicopter while allegedly driving at 140 km/h before swimming across the Goulburn River and hiding from police in bushland.

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Police allege a driver failed to stop in St Georges Rd, Shepparton.

He was detected shortly afterwards allegedly driving at 140 km/h along the Shepparton-Barmah Rd.

The man was tracked by Air Wing for an hour-and-a-half into bushland before he allegedly swam across the Goulburn River and hid in bushland to escape police.

A 39-year-old Mooroopna man was arrested and charged with dangerous driving while pursued by police, unlicensed driving, using an unregistered motor vehicle and affixing false plates.

He was bailed to face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on April 4.

The man also allegedly tested positive to methamphetamine following a roadside drug test.

He was one of eight drivers apprehended by police earlier this week in a night-time operation targeting intentional high-risk driving in the Shepparton area.

Police said the three-night operation from December 13 to 15 was prompted by a recent increase in reckless drivers failing to stop on police direction, putting the community at risk.

It involved detectives from Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit, Shepparton Highway Patrol police and uniform police, with support from police air wing.

Among other apprehended drivers from the operation was a 28-year-old Mooroopna man who is expected to be charged on summons with evade police and use unregistered motor vehicle.

An 18-year-old Yarrawonga man who was charged with dangerous driving while pursued by police, drive while disqualified and using an unregistered motor vehicle.

He was bailed to face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on May 30.

A 27-year-old Shepparton man is expected to be charged on summons with evading police and unlicensed driving.

A 44-year-old Langwarrin man was charged with evading police, possessing a drug of dependence and possessing a controlled weapon.

He was remanded to face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on February 15.

He also allegedly tested positive to methamphetamines following a roadside drug test.

A 27-year-old Shepparton man is expected to be charged on summons with evading police, driving while disqualified, using an unregistered motor vehicle, and refusing an evidentiary breath test.

A 22-year-old Shepparton man was charged with dangerous driving while pursued by police, reckless conduct, unlicensed driving and using an unregistered motor vehicle.

He was bailed to face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on January 24.

An 18-year-old Shepparton man was fined for failing to stop on police direction.

All eight drivers had their cars impounded for 30 days at a cost of more than $1000.

Throughout the operation police intercepted numerous other drivers who underwent roadside drug tests.

Seven of those drivers tested positive for illicit substances including methamphetamines and cannabis.

Police also detected three drivers committing driving offences including unlicenced driving, disqualified driving and using an unregistered motor vehicle.

All three drivers had their cars impounded for 30 days.