Seth Scott Muntelwit, 22, jailed for crashing stolen Hyundai Kona into three police cars in Tweed Shire

A Gold Coast man who took police on a wild demolition derby across the Tweed, smashing into three police cars and causing $73,000 damage, said police were “interfering with my mission”.

A Gold Coast man remains behind bars for a three cop car demolition derby in a stolen Hyundai Kona on the Tweed.

A Gold Coast man who took police on a 40km demolition derby from Kingscliff to Pottsville in a stolen Hyundai Kona, smashing into three police cars and causing $73,000 damage, said police were “interfering with my mission”.

Seth Scott Muntelwit, 22, appeared via audio visual link before Magistrate Michael Dakin at Lismore Local Court on Wednesday.

Muntelwit faced charges of police pursuit – not stopping – driving dangerously, stealing property in a dwelling and taking and driving conveyance without consent of the owner.

He also faced charges of using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, destroying or damaging property worth more than $15,000, and driving with a suspended license.

Muntelwit pleaded guilty to all charges.

Documents tendered to the court state Muntelwit broke into an Airbnb on Angela St, Tweed Heads, where a couple due to wed were staying and stole keys from a wallet on the kitchen bench.

Muntelwit crashed into three police cars in the Tweed causing $73,000 damage.

At about 2am on April 13, the owner woke to the sound of tyres screeching but paid no attention, facts state, later learning her car was stolen along with her keys.

At about 3:45am, police were alerted to a Hyundai Kona swerving on the Pacific Mwy.

Police pursued Muntelwit from Kingscliff to Pottsville after finally cornering him in a cul-de-sac where Muntelwit smashed head-on into one police car, trapping the driver and backing into another police car.

Police observed Muntelwit at an Ampol service station on Kennedy Dr in a purple basketball singlet and black head wrap, climbing into the car via the passenger side and over the centre console into the drivers seat, the facts continue.

Acting Inspector Adrian Mathewson, in an unmarked Passat police car, followed Muntelwit as he exited at Fingal Head.

Muntelwit entered the roundabout on the wrong side, colliding with the rear back passenger side of Mathewson’s car.

A pursuit was initiated when Muntelwit failed to stop.

Police found him on Marine Pde at Kingscliff and tried to stop him but he sped off – initiating a pursuit.

Muntelwit made a sharp turn, losing control, hitting a gutter, and damaging the vehicle’s wheel structure.

Despite sparks flying, Muntelwit continued driving through several streets, reaching speeds of 40 to 100kph, and 90-120kph, the facts state.

Police chased Muntelwit into Bottlebrush Drive, a dead-end, where he made a U-turn, and collided head-on with a police paddy wagon.

The impact caused him to rebound into the front of the Passat, trapping Sergeant Mathewson inside.

Lismore Courthouse.

Mr Dakin described Muntelwit’s driving as a “complete disregard for responsibility and consequences”, noting it was above mid-range due to collisions and extensive vehicle damage.

He said Muntelwit was on conditional liberty making it an aggravating factor.

Defence solicitor Robert Warren argued for special circumstances, citing Muntelwit’s youth, lack of custodial history, and significant mental illness.

Dr Richard Furst’s psychological report revealed Muntelwit had been hospitalised for hallucinations and diagnosed with psychotic schizoid affective disorder.

Muntelwit was 21, taking a construction course, couch surfing, and suffering from adjustment and behavioural disorders due to drug use, Mr Warren said.

“I accept his moral culpability is diminished, but he put himself and others in significant danger,” Mr Dakin said.

Muntelwit was sentenced to an aggregate term of imprisonment of 30 months with a non-parole period of 18 months.

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Originally published as Seth Scott Muntelwit, 22, jailed for crashing stolen Hyundai Kona into three police cars in Tweed Shire