Yusuf Amir admits using Dustin Martin’s stolen Range Rover to ram cop car

A man who pinched Richmond star Dustin Martin’s luxury ride was wanted by police over a separate car theft weeks earlier.

Dustin Martin’s car was stolen from outside a St Kilda petrol station on January 23. Picture: Getty

A man has admitted stealing Dustin Martin’s $150,000 luxury ride before later ramming a police car as he tried to get away.

Yusuf Amir, 30, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to stealing the Richmond star’s black Range Rover after it was left with its engine running outside a St Kilda petrol station on January 23.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Martin had lent the car to a friend before Amir jumped in the driver’s seat as the mate went to pay at a Coles Express service station.

Hours later, police came across the stolen vehicle parked on Barkly Street.

Martin had lent the car to a friend before it was stolen. Picture: 7 News

When investigators entered the carpark to make an intercept, Amir tried to reverse away, driving into a brick wall before hitting the unmarked police car at speed.

“The police vehicle sustained damage to the front rendering it undriveable,” a prosecutor told the court.

Amir, who has previously served jail stints for drug-related offending, refused to get out of the car and was sprayed with OC spray.

A co-accused female associate was pulled away from the car by officers which allowed Amir, from Springvale, to escape out the passenger side door before he was arrested on foot a short time later.

Martin’s $150,000 Range Rover was used to ram a police car. Picture: 7 News

The court heard Amir was at the time wanted over a separate car theft weeks earlier in Prahran to which he also pleaded guilty to on Tuesday.

He was initially facing other charges including endangering police but those were downgraded following a plea deal with prosecutors.

Amir’s lawyer said his client was unaware police were in the unmarked vehicle before he rammed it.

He instead admitted to charges including stealing number plates, dangerous driving and bail offences.

He is expected to plead guilty to other charges when his case returns to court next month.

Amir, who the court heard had drug addiction issues and was unemployed at the time of his arrest, showed little emotion as he appeared via video link from prison where he has been locked up for six months on remand.

Martin did not attend Tuesday’s hearing.

In March, an arrest warrant was issued for Amir’s co-accused Kiara Alexander-McNeal, 22, after she failed to show up to court.

Amir will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 23.