A Wollongong man who claimed a shady character named ‘‘Dodge’’ led police on a wild goose chase and sparked a multi-agency ocean search earlier this month has admitted his guilt in court.
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Luke Wouter Dendulk told Port Kembla Local Court that he – not his made-up mate – was behind the wheel of a maroon Toyota Tarago that sparked a police pursuit through the streets of Wollongong on the evening of October 10.
He eventually evaded police after he ditched the car on Cliff Road, ran to the Continental Pool and swam out to sea in the dark.
An extensive air and sea search involving various police units and an ambulance rescue helicopter, failed to find the man.
Dendulk’s personal effects including a wallet and his bail reporting slip were found in the abandoned car.
The 35-year-old was found hiding out in a mate’s Fairy Meadow garage on October 11 and was arrested.
He initially told police an acquaintance called "Dodge" had taken the car, and his belongings, without his permission.
On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including a police pursuit, driving an unregistered car and driving dangerously while disqualified on another occasion.
The court heard Dendulk was disqualified from driving until 2019, and was on strict conditional bail not to get behind the wheel when the October 10 incident occurred.
Defence lawyer Jane Healey told the court Dendulk had been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail, citing Dendulk’s long history of driving while disqualified offences and adjourned the matter until December 2.
Video: Tony Markham