Andrew Knapp fronts court over car thefts and burglary

An unlicensed driver’s car theft and burglary spree in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs came to a screeching halt after he rammed a police car and injured a cop.

Andrew Knapp went on a week-long crime spree targeting cars and homes in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

A Melbourne teenager’s week-long crime spree came to an abrupt end when he rammed a police car after being trapped in a dead-end street.

Andrew Knapp, 19, pleaded guilty in the County Court on Monday to a raft of charges including theft of motor vehicle, attempted carjacking, armed robbery, recklessly exposing an emergency worker to injury and burglary.

The court heard that Knapp had never held a driver’s licence and was on bail during the crime spree which began on September 21, 2023 when he broke into a house in Doncaster and stole $7000 cash.

An hour later, he approached the owner of a Kia and threatened her, saying “Do you want to try the gun in my pocket?” but was unsuccessful in stealing the vehicle.

Andrew Knapp stole three cars during a week-long crime spree before he was boxed in and arrested in Nunawading.

A short time later, he managed to drive away in an Audi wagon, owned by an 82-year-old woman despite her efforts to stop him.

The car was located in Blackburn North three days later. Six days later, Knapp offered $5000 to a man who was selling his car on Facebook Marketplace.

Both men met at Blackburn North and during a test drive, Knapp threatened the car owner with a steak knife and stole his vehicle.

On the same night, he stole an Audi and cash and other items after breaking into a house in Nunawading. About 2.30am on September 28, 2023 two police officers in a patrol car spotted the stolen Audi bring driven erratically and followed him.

Knapp drove into a dead-end street in Nunawading, made a U-turn and accelerated towards the police car which had been moved into a gutter to avoid a collision.

Knapp veered to his right and slammed into the police car before he was arrested. Both vehicles were written off.

Knapp will return to court for further plea on April 28.