Dustin Martin’s stolen car used in wild crime spree

Richmond star Dustin Martin’s Range Rover was allegedly stolen by a man who is accused of using it to ram police.

Thieves stole Dustin Martin’s luxury ride.

Richmond star Dustin Martin has been caught up in a wild crime spree in Melbourne after car thieves allegedly stole his luxury ride, stored drugs in it and later used it to ram police.

The three-time Norm Smith medallist’s car was stolen from a petrol station in St Kilda on January 23 about 9pm, which was then allegedly used by dangerous joy riders to go on a crime spree.

Martin had lent his pristine black Range Rover to a friend who had stopped to fill up petrol and left the keys inside while he went to pay for the fuel.

Moments later, an eagle-eyed 29-year-old Springvale man allegedly jumped inside the unlocked vehicle and sped off.

Dustin Martin’s car was allegedly used by dangerous joy riders to go on a crime spree. Picture: Seven News

The car was spotted by police four hours later at a Barkly Street address about 1.55am.

As police tried to stop the stolen vehicle, the thief allegedly rammed an unmarked police car and another vehicle before becoming trapped.

The man, Yusuf Amir, allegedly fled the scene on foot but was later caught.

He has since been charged by police with a raft of offences including two counts of aggravated intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving a stolen vehicle, damage to emergency services vehicle by reckless driving, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, five counts of commit indictable offence whilst on bail, deal property suspected proceeds of crime, possess 1, 4-Butanediol, possess cannabis.

Mr Amir beamed into Melbourne Magistrates’ Court from Melbourne Assessment Prison on Tuesday, a week after his dramatic arrest in St Kilda on January 24.

He did not say anything throughout the brief administrative hearing, only to acknowledge he could see and hear the court and “no worries, thank you” when the magistrate told him his case would be adjourned.

Charge sheets released by the court valued Martin’s Range Rover at $150,000.

There was no indication if there was any damage to the vehicle, or if it had been returned to the AFL player.

The documents allege Mr Amir was on bail after allegedly stealing a $50,000 Mazda CX9, valued at $50,000, on January 3.

One of his bail conditions was that he was not to drive a vehicle.

But he is now charged with contraventing that.

He is also accused of dealing in proceeds of crime, with police seizing, on his arrest, an array of items including scratch-it tickets, 10 vodafone starter packs, two black charging cables in their packets, and 28 international prepaid calling cards.

Other charges include aggravated intentional exposure of a police officer to risk by driving and reckless driving causing damage to an emergency vehicle.

The Tigers star was not in court to lay eyes on the accused car thief.

Mr Amir, 29, from Springvale, made no application for bail and was remanded to reappear before the court on April 18.

Co-accused Kiara Alexander-McNeal, 22, from Safety Beach, was also charged but is on bail.

She was charged with theft of motor vehicle, two counts of commit indictable offence whilst on bail.

Her case will return to court on March 8.

Martin’s luxury car has made headlines in the past. Picture: Seven News

It’s not the first time that Dustin Martin’s car has made headlines.

In 2019, Martin famously parked his car at the MCG but did not return to pick it up for two months.

It was a running joke among his teammates that his luxury car was left abandoned.

Dusty reportedly travelled to Las Vegas and the Maldives and even partied with Serena Williams posting his holiday on Instagram.

He even returned and hired a chauffeur to take him to a friend’s wedding.

While he was away an MCC spokesperson confirmed the car was still parked in the underground car park.

Finally his then skipper Trent Cotchin, revealed Dusty had finally returned to pick up the car telling Triple M.

“It’s not at the ‘G anymore,” Cotchin said.

“He did pick it up and he actually went and picked it up himself, so that was a surprise.