A Wangarrata man accused of assaulting a 91-year-old elderly resident during an alleged aggravated carjacking in Berwick has appeared in court.
Police allege a man, identified in court as 26-year-old Wangaratta resident Reece Stewart, was “behaving erratically” before carrying out an aggravated carjacking on 23 August, assaulting a 91-year-old man outside an aged care facility on Melville Park Drive after 12.30pm.
Police say the elderly driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to hospital, while Stewart allegedly fled in the victim’s Ford Forrester.
The offender is alleged to have then driven to High Street, where he crashed the vehicle about 12.45pm before abandoning it and continuing on foot
Police claim that Stewart briefly entered a pharmacy and neighbouring business before fleeing across a Paternoster Lane carpark.
He was said to have been arrested on Lyall Road and transported to hospital under police guard.
Stewart was charged with aggravated carjacking, recklessly cause injury, burglary, theft of motor vehicle, theft, unlawful assault, reckless conduct endangering life, drive in a manner dangerous and fail to appear on bail.
He was remanded in custody and appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on 25 August, where his defence lawyer told the judge that Stewart was taking medication for schizophrenia, suffered from PTSD, and was withdrawing from drugs, including ice and alcohol.
The defence lawyer also noted he was experiencing anxiety due to being in custody for the first time.
A committal mention has been set for 17 November in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
