Geelong Uber driver hospitalised after frightening carjacking at Pevensey Park
A Geelong man was dragged 100m along a bitumen road during a terrifying carjacking, with the stolen sedan then allegedly involved in a raging four-day crime spree. WARNING: GRAPHIC
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Geelong Uber driver is lucky to be alive after he was dragged 100m along a bitumen road during a terrifying carjacking, with the stolen sedan then allegedly involved in a raging four-day crime spree.
Bannockburn father Dean Lehmann, 51, was rushed to hospital following the theft and assault, on Fitzroy St near the Geelong CBD and waterfront on August 8, that left a “golf ball-sized hole” in his left leg and his skin “scraped through to the bone”.
He had parked his blue Renault Captur at Pevensey Park about 8.20pm when the offender pounced.
“I was holding the driver side door trying to pull him out and was getting dragged as he was trying to flee,” he said.
“The road started eating into the flesh of my foot and then scraped through to the bone.”
Mr Lehmann’s injuries were so severe he spent the next three days in a serious condition in Geelong hospital and required surgery to his left leg and foot.
His skin was removed from his left thigh, shin and lower back.
The car was then allegedly used in a number of crimes in the ensuing days and was captured on CCTV in multiple locations, including at an APCO service station in Lara where it is alleged stolen credit cards were used.
A number of other items were allegedly stolen from homes and cars in the same suburb, 18km northeast of Geelong, on August 10 including cards, laptops, purses, cash and keys.
Mr Lehmann’s vehicle, which is his livelihood, was later found with its front wheel blown out near Latrobe Blvd in Newtown on Monday, August 12.
“It has been a disturbing experience and has left me banged up and unable to work,” he said.
“I like to think I am very vigilant but we all need to be even more careful.
“He (the offender) wasn’t too concerned with my welfare.”
Skid marks can be seen down Park Street near the scene of the carjacking.
Detectives from Geelong’s criminal investigation branch are investigating the theft, understood to have involved two men.
No arrests have been made.
Mr Lehmann described one of the men as caucasian, in his early 20s with a slim and tall build.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Do you know more? mark.murray@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Geelong Uber driver hospitalised after frightening carjacking at Pevensey Park
Unique Vic ‘fairyland’ village has volcanic rock home, 12m bore
A huge Victorian property with three private residences has hit the market — with one of the owners’ describing it as their own little “fairyland”. SEE WHY.
No more Cats clash: AFL Barwon makes GFNL finals change
Footy fans can now attend the GFNL preliminary final and Geelong’s preliminary final on the same day.
Measures Geelong schools are taking to stop sexting
Geelong schools are bringing in police officers to speak with kids about the dangers of sharing nude pictures, as sexual violence experts warn campuses are being “overrun” by crimes that start with sexting.
Injury-riddled to intercept force: How ‘unlucky’ Cat overcame woes
Entering the year uncontracted and struggling for continuity, Jack Henry hasn’t missed a beat — or a game — this year. He opens up on his season and Geelong’s ‘tough’ call at selection.
‘Miraculous’: Mum and bub’s near-death birth scare
A Bannockburn mum was preparing for the worst when she found a “trail of blood” eight weeks before her baby’s due date.
Disgraced myotherapist loses bid to appeal sex assault sentences
A disgraced myotherapist who was convicted of sexually assaulting his patients launched the appeal bid four years later, asking a judge to reconsider the sentences he received.