Police alleged that James Wedge, 40, was one of three perpetrators involved in the theft of three vehicles from Harrison.

Three men were all seen acting suspiciously in a Harrison street around 2.10am on Saturday and police were called to attend. Residents also reported hearing house alarms.

As the officers arrived, three vehicles - a blue BMW 118i, a red Audi A3 and a grey Audi S3 - were all seen leaving the area at speed. The owners of the residence suspected that entry to the house was gained through the dog door with all three sets of car keys, usually hanging on a hook inside the house, stolen by the intruders.

Police threw stop sticks out ahead of the blue BMW and as the driver attempted to evade them, he collided with the Mitchell tram stop.

Police alleged that Wedge then fled the crashed car on foot but was arrested in bushland on the side of Flemington Road. In a search of the alleged offender, police found a VW car key and a wallet which previously had been stolen from a car in Mapleton Avenue, Harrison.

Wedge faced the court on multiple charges, including take a motor vehicle without consent, being an unlicensed driver, unlawful possession of stolen property and furious/reckless driving.

Wedge sought bail, with Legal Aid solicitor Ewan Small advising the court that the perpetrator was a shared primary carer for his young grandson, and that the defendant also struggled with mental health issues.

Magistrate James Stewart ruled that these were no way special or exceptional circumstances and refused the application.

Wedge's two accomplices and the stolen Audis are still being sought by police who are urging anyone who witnessed, or whose CCTV system captured any suspicious activity in Harrison or Mitchell that night, to contact them.

Anyone with dashcam footage of the red or grey Audis being driven after 2am is also urged to contact police by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information can be provided anonymously. Please quote reference number 7084841.

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