Andrew Greenaway’s drug fuelled crime spree: stolen cars, jewellery and dangerous getaways

A Mildura criminal’s drug-fuelled crime spree saw him steal several cars, luxury handbags, jewellery and repeated attempts at evading police.

Andrew Greenaway (left) was caught red handed trying to steal this car a second time. Picture: Supplied

A Mildura crook who went on a wild crime spree while drugged up on meth and GHB stole cars, jewellery and watches during his offending.

Andrew Greenaway, 32, fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to several charges including burglary, dangerous driving while being pursued, recklessly exposing an emergency services worker to risk and car theft.

About 1am on February 8, Greenaway was spotted by police in The Gateway Hotel carpark on Fifteenth St in a Peugeot sedan that had incorrect number plates on it.

When police activated their sirens, Greenaway took off at high speed, with his lights off down Fifteenth St.

Police eventually caught up to him later in the month when he was spotted at Kmart on Pine Ave in Mildura. When police spoke to him, he gave his brother’s name, but unfortunately for Greenaway was arrested anyway, as there was also a warrant for his brother’s arrest.

Custody officers would later confirm him as being Andrew Greenaway.

Greenaway was sentenced to 20 months behind bars with a 12-month non parole period

In March, Greenaway was also one of the co-accused involved in the burglary of a woman’s house where thousands of dollars of jewellery was stolen, along with designer handbags, sunglasses, a $6000 watch and a new CCTV system.

When questioned by police, Greenaway claimed he had no memory of the robbery.

“I don’t even remember what I did. I was on a lot of drugs,” Greenaway told police.

On May 21, Greenaway was busted driving a Subaru Forester, which had number plates that belonged to a Mitsubishi Magna.

When he was arrested, he again gave his brother’s name.

Greenaway dangerously attempted to evade police while behind the wheel on multiple occasions

The court also heard of another getaway from police that wasn’t as successful as his February escapade.

On May 27, he was spotted driving a Holden Commodore in Hornsey Park in Mildura with incorrect plates.

When police pursued him this time, he attempted to drive away on the footpath, only to crash into a pole.

The court heard his sister-in-law, who was nine months pregnant, was also in the vehicle. Emergency service workers were put at high risk in this incident as they apprehended Greenaway,

Magistrate Patrick Southey said drugs had been a major issue for Greenaway.

“Drugs like juice (GHB) and ice (methylamphetamine) have clearly been a source of his problems,” Mr Southey said.

The magistrate added that although Greenaway was a significant risk of reoffending, he was not a lost cause.

Greenaway was sentenced to 20 months behind bars with a non-parole period of 12 months, 69 days of which were reckoned as time served.

He will be due for parole in late May next year.