An allegedly stolen utility vehicle was spotted veering into oncoming traffic on Wattletree Road in Armadale around 11:30 a.m. yesterday. The vehicle eventually crashed into a brick fence, startling local gardener Wendy Aubrey.

“He just swerved across the road, mounted the nature strip, and crashed through the fence here, knocking it over,” recounted Aubrey.

“Fortunately, I was working in another part of the garden, not 10 meters away,” she added.

Authorities claim the driver lost control and crashed shortly after colliding with their patrol car and another vehicle while attempting to flee the scene.

Residents nearby had alerted police, having noticed the man asleep in a Hilux with its engine idling just around the corner.

When officers arrived, they attempted to immobilize the ute. However, they were compelled to smash a window and deploy capsicum spray after the suspect allegedly drove towards them.

“There appeared to be a window smashed on one side to get him out but otherwise he took off pretty erratically up the footpath,” witness Jacquie Baillie said.

“It was terribly scary for everybody involved, and I’m just so glad that no one was injured.”

A 33-year-old man was charged with a string of offences including theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated burglary and possessing a controlled weapon.

He’s been remanded to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court later this month.

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