‘Facebook fugitive’ Justin Filipetti sentenced over attempted carjacking

An Illawarra man dubbed the ‘Facebook fugitive’, known for taunting police in a series catch-me-if you-can style videos will remain in prison until at least the end of next year, after trying to carjack an elderly couple.

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AN Illawarra man dubbed the ‘Facebook fugitive’ after taunting police in a series catch-me-if you-can style videos will remain in prison until at least the end of next year, after trying to carjack an elderly couple.

Mangerton’s Justin Filipetti, 28, appeared before Judge Andrew Haesler at Wollongong District Court on Friday for sentencing, after he tried to carjack an elderly couple at Lake Illawarra while on parole last June.

As the offence was committed while on parole, Judge Haesler said a harsher penalty was necessary and sentenced Filipetti to three years four months in prison starting from his arrest date last year, with a non-parole period of two years and two months.

June 2018 was an eventful month for Mr Filipetti, beginning with social media infamy, and ending with a dramatic arrest at a Berkeley home.

Filipetti was released from prison on parole in April 2018, and became a wanted man in June of that year after breaching his conditions.

Justin Filipetti taunted police in a series of Facebook videos.

In handing down his sentence on May 17, Judge Haesler said Filipetti had spent 80 per cent of his adult life in prison.

In response to the warrant, Filipetti took to social media and taunted police, posting four videos between June 19 to 22, telling police he was “like the wind. You know where I am but you can catch me.”

“I’m kicking back. About to have some dinner, some bongs,” he said in one of the videos.

“You won’t find me, Superintendent. Good luck with it … If you think you can find me or you think you know where I am — come. I’m daring you, come.

“It won’t end well, so you better call TRG [Tactical Response Group] … I’m telling you, I’m like the wind. You know I’m there but you can’t catch me.”

Just days after posting the bizarre online rants, Filipetti threatened to stab a 72-year-old man during an attempted carjacking in a quiet Lake Illawarra street.

About 8.30am on June 27, the man and his 71-year-old wife were travelling down Kingsley Drive, Lake Heights when they saw Filipetti standing on the road, pointing to his watch.

The man pulled over as he thought Filipetti was asking for the time. As he stopped the car and wound down the window, Filipetti reached into the car and tried to remove the keys from the ignition.

Filipetti’s case was heard at Wollongong District Court on May 17. Pic: Steven Bell.

He ordered the man to “get out of the car or I’ll stab ya” and a struggle ensued between the pair. As a result, the key broke and Filipetti fled the scene.

Police tracked Filipetti down the following day, and found him hiding in a laundry cupboard at a Berkeley address, before arresting him on other charges and revoking his parole

On September 6 he was charged with robbery in relation to the attempted carjacking.

When handing down his sentence on Friday, Judge Haesler said he approached the prospect of Filipetti’s rehabilitation with cynicism rather than optimism, due to the fact he has spent 80 per cent of his adult life in custody.

“He has never had an opportunity to lead a normal community life,” he said.

“When he’s been in custody he’s not responded well as his jail record indicates.”

While the court heard Filipetti’s childhood was blunted by drug use, domestic violence and the fact his parents were in and out of custody, Judge Haesler said that was no consolation to the victim.

“When offences like this occur people can lose confidence in others, they learn to fear others,” he said.

“When people are fearful it impacts the community as a whole.”

Filipetti’s total sentence will expire on January 5, 2022 and he will be eligible for parole on November 5 2020.