Young man charged after alleged Worrigee axe attack, Ford Mustang theft

A man has fronted court after allegedly hacking a woman with an axe while stealing her Ford Mustang, running her over with the luxury sports car and sparking a 180km/h police pursuit across the South Coast.

The police chase took place across the NSW South Coast. Picture: Generic, file.

A man has fronted court and refused to apply for bail after allegedly hacking a woman with an axe while stealing her Ford Mustang, running her over with the luxury sports car and sparking a 180km/h police pursuit across the South Coast.

Police will allege Caleb Flentjar’s violent rampage began just before 1pm on Saturday, when officers were called to Rayleigh Dr, Worrigee, following reports a man was armed with an axe and hammer.

As police arrived, Flentjar, 25, allegedly hurled the axe at their car before retrieving it and fleeing to a nearby home on Illawarra Circuit.

There, he allegedly struck a woman multiple times with the axe while she sat in her Ford Mustang, before forcing her from the vehicle.

As the man sped off in her car, police allege the woman was run over.

She was rushed to Shoalhaven Hospital with serious injuries to her legs and torso before being transferred to St George Hospital in a stable condition.

Police will allege the woman was struck multiple times on the body during the car theft.

An hour later, with assistance from Polair, police spotted the Mustang on the Princes Hwy and gave chase as it allegedly tore through Nowra, Bomaderry, Berry, Gerringong, and Kiama — at times reaching speeds of 180km/h in 80 zones.

Officers attempted to use road spikes, butFlentjarallegedly swerved at a highway patrol officer, narrowly missing him and avoiding the trap.

The chase ended at Kiama Downs when the Mustang – allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road – crashed into a ute.

Flentjar allegedly tried to flee on foot, but was tackled and held by members of the public until police arrived.

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital under police guard.

The ute driver was also hospitalised for assessment.

After being released from hospital on Sunday, the man was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with a string of serious offences, including aggravated take and drive motor vehicle with person in it while armed with weapon, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm, fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, class A motor vehicle exceed speed greater than 45 km/h, custody of a knife in public place, two counts of use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and larceny.

He also faces three outstanding charges related to domestic violence and property damage.

Flentjar’s case was mentioned in Bail Court on Monday, where he was expected to make a release application, however his lawyer, Cassie Lee, revealed the young man was refusing to leave his cell and was therefore not wanting to make a bid for bail.

Magistrate Daniel Covington ultimately adjourned the case, saying there was “nothing” he could do if Flentjar refused to participate.

Flentjar’s case will be heard in Nowra Local Court on July 22, where he will appear via video link from custody.

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