Luke Anthony Vlach-Robertson’s rampage after hopping border, crashing car and jumping in canal

A man smuggled himself into Queensland, bought a stolen car, nicked seat covers because it was in bad condition, crashed it, offered a $100 bribe for a stranger to give him a lift, and eventually jumped in a Surfers Paradise canal to evade police.

A man smuggled himself into Queensland, bought a stolen car, nicked seat covers because it was in bad condition, crashed it, offered a $100 bribe for a stranger to give him a lift, and eventually jumped in a Surfers Paradise canal to evade police.

Luke Anthony Vlach-Robertson’s crazy afternoon of hijinx was all in the pursuit of love.

Sadly, he is still yet to meet the woman of his dreams.

Vlach-Robertson pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday to 10 charges, including failing to comply with a Covid-19 public health direction, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving without due car, stealing and receiving tainted property.

Police prosecutor Andreea Iordache told the court the strange chain of events began about 11.40am on October 29 in Bundall.

Vlach-Robertson was spotted stealing seat covers worth $150 from Autobarn. He was driving a Volkswagen Golf that had been stolen from Carrara the night before.

He was also on a suspended licence after an incident in New South Wales. Police tried to stop Vlach-Robertson by using car spikes.

Tweed Heads leading into the Griffith Street, Coolangatta border check point with barely a car on the road. Photo: Liana Walker

He kept driving until he crashed into a Mazda and fled on foot.

The court was told Vlach-Robertson then jumped in a car on Ashmore Rd and offered the driver $100 for a lift because he had been in a car crash.

When the driver spotted police, he became suspicious and dropped Vlach-Robertson off at a football field nearby.

The driver then told police where Vlach-Robertson had run.

Police were able to track him to Surfers Paradise where Vlach-Robertson jumped into a canal.

Ms Iordache said after police fished Vlach-Robertson out of the water, they discovered he was a NSW resident in Queensland without a border pass.

Defence lawyer Basil Karsas, of Karsas Lawyers, said: “He came to Queensland to meet up with a girl – he never got to meet up with her.”

Mr Karsas said Vlach-Robertson had purchased the stolen car after skipping the border. It was in a bad condition, hence the reason he stole the seat covers.

Magistrate John McInnes sentenced Vlach-Robertson to 12 months’ prison, to be released on parole after he had served four months. He has been in custody since October 29.

He said Vlach-Robertson had not been cooperative wtih police and “made them drag him out of a canal”.

Vlach-Robertson, who appeared via videolink, replied: “I couldn’t get out of the water because there were oysters.”

Magistrate McInnes said about why Vlach-Robertson had breached the border: “It all started with a romantic interest and everyone can sympathise with that.”

Magistrate McInnes also disqualified Vlach-Robertson from driving for 30 months.

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