Police vehicles wrecked in crime spree

A Waimate man’s involvement in a ‘‘Bonnie and Clyde’’-style rampage netted him 41⁄2 years in jail yesterday.

Jaron Marcus Dodge had been on the run from police since early June 2021 for offences committed in Waimate, Makikihi and Christchurch when he and a female co-offender were involved in a crime spree on August 3 which resulted in damage to police vehicles, theft of a firearm and ammunition, theft of motor vehicles, burglary, endangering transport and failing to stop.

Dodge was also sentenced on other charges, including escaping from police custody, driving while suspended, failing to stop and burglary committed from March 29 to July 30, when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in the Timaru District Court.

Dodge’s lawyer, Andrew McCormick, used the words ‘‘Bonnie and Clyde’’ to describe the offending in North Otago and agreed the charges in the Timaru court had overtaken the Christchurch charges in terms of seriousness.

McCormick said Dodge had suffered from ADHD from an early age, and it was not treated which meant a difficult start to his life, adding the pre-sentence report outlined his difficult upbringing.

Reparation of about $60,000 was sought and McCormick said while the figure could not be disputed there was no way Dodge could pay.

McCormick said if reparation was ordered, along with two years’ driving disqualification, it would mean the chances of employment after release would be very slim.

Judge Maze said the pre-sentence report showed Dodge’s regret and an acknowledgement of the impact of his offending on police involved in the car chases and the families involved.

‘‘The report also shows you became addicted to meth about three years ago and the escalation in offending is linked to that by the report writer.’’

Judge Maze said Dodge’s drug use was masking other problems, and he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a mental health disorder.

Dodge went on the run soon after being recognised as a disqualified driver in Waimate, on March 29, and then not being at home in Waimate for a bail check on June 1, fleeing police two days later.

On June 25, he failed to stop for police in Christchurch, reaching speeds of about 80kph in a 50kph zone while overtaking other vehicles.

On July 3, he burgled an engineering firm at Makikihi and two days later was seen driving a car in Waimate with the stolen plates, failed to stop, and fled police on foot when he drove down a no exit road.

On July 30, outside his father’s address in Waimate, he escaped police again.

The ‘‘Bonnie and Clyde’’ saga on August 3 began at Campbell Park Estate, near Kurow, in an attempt to steal petrol.

When police arrived, Dodge drove head-on into a police vehicle. The pair fled into nearby paddocks, driving through three farm gates, abandoning the vehicle when it became bogged and fleeing on foot.

The pair then managed to steal a shotgun and 24 rounds along with clothes, farm tools, a chainsaw, alcohol and clothing from a nearby farm. They loaded the stolen property into a nearby ute and fled along State Highway 83.

A police dog unit located the offenders on a track near the Waitaki River.

‘‘. . . the defendant drove straight at him, forcing him to take evasive action, veering off the track into scrub.’’

During the police pursuit, Dodge stopped the ute and reversed into the pursuing police car, smashing into it, writing it off.

The pair again fled the scene at speeds of up to 120kph driving at speed through a stop sign intersection and across road spikes.

Dodge continued to drive farm tracks, smashing through fences and closed gateways.

They abandoned the wrecked ute, attempted to steal another before smashing their way into a farm worker’s house where they were eventually arrested.