Anthony Leon Lavelle blames stealing and crashing cop car charges on psychosis episode

A fisherman, charged with crashing a stolen police car on his way to Maccas while wearing just his duds has faced court and blamed it all on a psychosis episode.

Anthony Leon Lavelle, 37, of Kurwongbah, applied for bail at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today, Wednesday, October 18. Picture – Facebook/Anthony Lavelle.

The man charged with stealing a cop car and crashing it on his way to North Lakes Maccas while wearing just his undies, not long after being tasered by police when spotted allegedly armed with a knife, has faced court and blamed it all on a psychosis episode.

Anthony Leon Lavelle, 37, of Kurwongbah, applied for bail at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today, Wednesday, October 18.

The court heard Lavelle was hospitalised and taken into custody early morning on Tuesday, October 3, when he allegedly stole a police car from Narangba and drove it to Mango Hill where he crashed into a tree on his way to the North Lakes McDonalds.

Damage to a police car taken by a man who was confronted by police after reports he was armed with a knife.

Police will allege they were called to a disturbance at the Boundary Rd, Narangba, overpass about 3.21am where Lavelle was behaving in an erratic manner with a knife taped to his hand, wearing just his underwear.

It will be alleged he then managed to evade police and steal a cop car which he drove 8km away towards the North Lakes McDonald’s before crashing it on Anzac Avenue at Mango Hill.

Moreton Bay man arrested after allegedly crashing police car. Picture – 9News Queensland.

It is understood the push-button-to-start police van was left unattended by police at the scene, while they were trying to arrest Lavelle, with the keys in the car.

Police allegedly took about 20 minutes to catch up to Lavelle.

Police will allege he then fled the crash scene on foot, but was chased down by officers before being tasered and arrested.

Lavelle’s lawyer, Brendan Beavon from Beavon Lawyers, told the court his client had a psychosis episode/breakdown because he had not been taking anxiety medication for about a week.

Anthony Leon Lavelle, 37, of Kurwongbah, applied for bail at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today, Wednesday, October 18. Picture – Facebook/Anthony Lavelle.

“He’s not a well man,” Mr Beavon told the court.

Mr Beavon confirmed Lavelle allegedly had a knife taped to his hand the morning of the incident.

“He runs away from police...he doesn’t advance on them or threaten them,” Mr Beavon said.

Mr Beavon told the court Lavelle worked full time on a fishing longliner catching tuna fish off the coast of Mooloolaba, that he had three children (aged 16 years, nine years, and six months old) who he assisted financially, that he had managed to stay out of trouble for nearly two years, and that he would not be a threat to society if released.

His lawyer also told the court Lavelle would live with a family friend in Narangba and that he had his mother’s support, who was in court.

A police car is removed from the scene of the crash at Anzac Ave at Mango Hill.

Magistrate Woodford told the court he disagreed and would not be releasing Lavelle on bail, partly because of his lengthy criminal and traffic history (19 pages long) dating back to 2005.

Mr Woodford told the court it was an unacceptable risk to release Lavelle, who had previously been charged with breaching his bail.

Mr Beavon requested to have the charges moved to Caboolture Magistrates Court.

Lavelle was remanded in custody with his next mention on Wednesday, November 1, at Caboolture Magistrates Court. He was not required to appear via video link.