A DISQUALIFIED driver who allegedly stole a Mercedes 4WD from outside a home at Hamilton South while the owners had briefly ducked inside and then drove erratically around Newcastle before lodging the vehicle against a retaining wall at Mayfield has been refused bail in Newcastle Local Court.
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Kahn Bulbert, 30, from Parklea, appeared in court on Thursday charged with eight offences, including reckless driving, driving while disqualified, resisting arrest and stealing a motor vehicle.
He did not enter any pleas, but applied for bail, which was refused by a registrar due to concerns Mr Bulbert would commit a serious offence or endanger the safety of the community.
The matter was adjourned to Newcastle Local Court on Monday.
The 2018 Mercedes was allegedly stolen from outside a house in Turnbull Street, Hamilton South about 6pm on Tuesday.
Police said the owner left the keys in the vehicle while they went inside for a short time.
About 11:45am on Wednesday, police attached to Operation Utah saw the Mercedes driving erratically in Bull Street, Mayfield.
Police allege Mr Bulbert was behind the wheel and using a mobile phone.
The Mercedes was followed by police as it travelled west on Bull Street and then turned into Cross Street.
Police caught up to the Mercedes, which had stopped behind a stationary garbage truck.
Police stopped behind the Mercedes and officers got out to arrest the driver.
But Mr Bulbert is alleged to have then accelerated, mounting the footpath, before colliding with the garbage truck and another vehicle.
The Mercedes then collided with a retaining wall where it became lodged and up on two wheels.
Mr Bulbert allegedly got out of the Mercedes and ran, however, was quickly arrested by police.
While being detained, police allege Mr Bulbert resisted arrest.
Checks revealed Mr Bulbert was disqualified from driving until November and he was taken to Waratah police station, charged and refused bail by police.
