Man run down by own four-wheel-drive after trying to stop Sunbury car thief
A MAN has described how he was dragged and crushed beneath the wheels of his own four-wheel-drive as a thief stole it from his Sunbury property, with his horrified wife finding her husband lying in the driveway ‘screaming in pain’.
Law & Order
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A MAN run over by his own car as he tried to stop a burglar from taking off with it has told how the callous crook left him for dead in his driveway.
Sunbury dad James Wilkie, 47, woke to the noise of his Jeep Cherokee revving outside his home about 4am Tuesday.
He bolted from bed and down the stairs to find the front door of the house wide open and a thief reversing out the driveway.
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The man had come prowling through the family home to steal car keys while Mr Wilkie, his wife Holly and their one-year-old daughter slept upstairs.
“I tried to open the driver side door,” Mr Wilkie said.
“They just clicked it into gear and drove off...I slipped and fell under the car.”
As the car reversed, it dragged Mr Wilkie about 5m and crushed him under the wheels.
Mr Wilkie, a handyman who has lived in the suburb for five years, suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and a broken femur.
He was rushed into surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he remains recovering from the ordeal.
Mr Wilkie said the thief did not hesitate for a second after running him over, and he felt lucky he had not hit his head.
“It was terrifying because it could have been a lot worse,” he said.
“He took off and you could just hear it (the Jeep) going full throttle.
“He didn’t worry about me laying there, whether he killed me or not he wouldn’t have known.
“He’s got no respect for human life -- I hope he gets caught.”
Wife Holly recalled rushing downstairs to help him as they waited for the ambulance to arrive.
“The scariest part was seeing the car roll over him and not knowing if he was okay,” she said.
“He was screaming in pain in the middle of the driveway.”
The car was involved in a crash later that morning in Woodend, where the driver swiped a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
The Jeep was later dumped on a Macedon street where it was found at about 7am.
A single male offender is still on the loose, and described as being in his mid to late 20s, with dark-coloured hair and a solid build.
Investigators want to speak with anyone who has dashcam footage or saw the white Jeep Cherokee that morning.
Hume CIU sergeant Barry Gipp encouraged residents to take precautions with their own security.
“There are probably a few things to be said. Make sure you lock your house. Keep your car keys in a safe spot,” he said.
After the burglary, Mrs Wilkie said she was scared to stay in her own home. Her first night back had her checking outside each time the sensor lights were triggered.
“You just doubt yourself. You think they’re going to come back,” she said.
While the incident was traumatic, she’s just grateful it wasn’t worse.
“The car is replaceable but human life is not.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report online.
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