Darcy Fromholtz sentenced for ramming police vehicles

A man has been jailed for ramming a police van while wearing a balaclava.

Darcy Fromholtz

A balaclava-clad man who rammed two police vans in a Norlane street has been jailed.

Darcy John Fromholtz was spotted sitting alone in his car outside a house while wearing a balaclava about 5am on December 10.

The Geelong Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday that police were patrolling the area following reports of a burglary.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kerrie-Ann Moroney said police pulled up on the nature strip in front of Fromholtz.

Fromholtz accelerated into the van “with force”, causing the front of the van to lift off the ground.

Another police van pulled up behind, blocking Fromholtz’s car in.

Fromholtz reversed into the police car before accelerating forward and hitting the other again.

“Police were able to accelerate and push the Commodore forward to the point the vehicle was wedged between the two police vehicles and he was subsequently arrested,” Constable Moroney said.

The 25-year-old man, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court to a number of charges including recklessly exposing an emergency worker to risk by driving and theft of a motor vehicle.

The court heard a search of the car uncovered methamphetamine, a pair of black plastic gloves, a torch, a balaclava and various other tools.

In a separate matter, Fromholtz was charged with theft of a motor vehicle because he failed to return a vehicle that he rented.

The court heard Fromholtz had signed a contract to rent a vehicle from August 21 – August 27 last year, but failed to return the car.

One month later the car was reported as stolen and police arrested Fromholtz.

A search of the cover uncovered cannabis.

Fromholtz’s lawyer, Stephanie Mawby, said her client had not heard from the company by way of email, but payments were still coming out of his bank account.

“He did not have a dishonest intent and had every intention of paying for the vehicle,” Ms Mawby said.

She also told the court her client was living in his vehicle and associating with the wrong crowds.

Magistrate Franz Holzer sentenced Fromholtz to five months in jail and a community corrections order for 12 months.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months.

Originally published as Darcy Fromholtz sentenced for ramming police vehicles