Lavington McDonalds: Mismatching number plates lead to police

A Ford Falcon driver made a bold escape from police after he was busted with mismatching number plates at the Lavington Maccas.

A Lavington man has made a bold escape from a McDonald’s car park after being busted driving a car with mismatching number plates.

A Lavington man has made a run for it after police caught him in a Maccas’ car park with mismatching number plates on a Ford.

Joshua John Miller, 28, appeared before Albury Local Court on Wednesday charged with drive recklessly/furiously in manner dangerous, driving while license suspended, driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on the road, and two counts of unlawfully possessing number plates.

Court documents reveal about 9.30am on February 5, police spotted a silver Ford Falcon in the Lavington McDonald’s car park with mismatching number plates.

Police approached the car, found Miller sitting in the driver’s seat, and asked him to produce his licence.

When Miller couldn’t produce a driver’s licence, police told him to stay where he was.

Police tried to move their car in front of the Ford Falcon to stop Miller trying to drive off — which he did.
Miller used the opportunity to leave the car park onto Griffith Rd with police in pursuit.

Court documents reveal Miller immediately drove onto the wrong side of the road, doing between 70 and 90km/h in a 50km/h zone.

As the Falcon approached the Urana Rd intersection police stopped the chase for fear it was too dangerous with a number of other cars around.

Police later identified the driver by his unique tattoos, and Miller was arrested in Wodonga on April 2.

His defence solicitor said Miller was in danger of being institutionalised.

His solicitor said his offending first started after his mother was imprisoned for the attempted murder of his father, and he lived with his sister, who did not have the means to look after him.

Between 2016 and later 2018, Miller spent a significant time out of prison working with the support of a local pastor, his solicitor said, but slipped back into ice addiction and drug related offending after his father died.

Miller was imprisoned in October 2018 and released again in September 2020.

Miller, who appeared from custody via video link, told the court he needed help to get his addiction problems under control, as well as develop life skills.

“I really want to get into rehab so I can adjust to a normal lifestyle again …” Miller said.

“I just really need help Your Honour.

“I haven’t had the best life growing up. I don‘t know how to cook meals of pay bills.

“I don’t just need rehab but I need help with those life skills.”

Magistrate Richard Funston said he could see no record of dangerous driving in Miller’s criminal history.

“And I do take that into account,” Mr Funston said.

“But he was on parole at the time.”

Miller was sentenced to five months imprisonment, backdated to April 2, and disqualified from driving for 18 months. He was also fined $1000.