John Constantino rams police car, steals with counterfeit money

A two-year crime spree – which included slamming into a police car and consistent theft – led to this Melbourne man missing the majority of his daughter’s life. Has he had a wake-up call?

Constantino says he wants to change for his daughter. (Stock photo)

A man who rammed a police car and used counterfeit money to steal during a two-year crime spree has vowed to turn his life around for his baby girl.

John Constantino pleaded guilty to a series of charges before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 20, having already spent 192 days behind bars for the crimes.

The court heard he consistently committed dishonesty offences over two years. His offending included using counterfeit money, stealing a motor vehicle, repeatedly evading police, and on one occasion he drove at police and struck their vehicle.

Constantino’s offending came about after he started using ice and cannabis and fell into debt, forcing him to sell his carpentry business, the court heard.

But the court heard he had been drug free since mid 2019, including a couple of months before his arrest, and was determined to turn his life around for his eight-month-old daughter.

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Magistrate Stephen Ballek said he could think of no better motivation for him to stay clean and not reoffend.

“You’ve already missed a significant portion of your daughter’s short life,” Mr Ballek said.

Constantino said his offending would remain in the past.

Mr Ballek said he was satisfied the father was motivated to move forward, releasing him from prison immediately on a community corrections order, including a drug rehabilitation and treatment program.

Constantino’s licence was also disqualified and he was fined $300, plus $84.40 in court costs.