Police allege officers were forced to shoot at a vehicle when the man behind the wheel drove directly at one of them, a court has heard.
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Sheldon Smith, 25, was charged with recklessly exposing a police officer to risk by driving, dangerous driving while pursued by police, failing to stop on police request, handling stolen goods, driving while suspended and driving an unregistered vehicle, after the incident at Elphinstone on Tuesday.
He applied for bail in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon, appearing via video link from the police station.
Detective Senior Constable Rob Binks, from the Central Goldfields Crime Investigation Unit, said officers with Bacchus Marsh Highway Patrol allegedly saw a Ford Territory with stolen registration plates speeding at 110 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the Melton-Gisborne Road on Tuesday afternoon.
They turned around to intercept the vehicle but it allegedly sped away, reaching 160 km/h.
Another unit later found the car in a driveway off Harmony Way, Elphinstone.
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It was alleged Mr Smith was the driver, and two passengers were inside; a third passenger had just gotten out of the vehicle.
When officers tried to block the driveway, Mr Smith allegedly reversed before driving straight at a police officer standing in front of the police vehicle.
Detective Senior Constable Binks said the officer feared he would be crushed between the two vehicles.
The court heard the officers fired a shot at the vehicle, which turned and drove away.
Police pursued the vehicle with lights and sirens, but Mr Smith allegedly did not pull over.
The vehicle was stopped on the Calder Freeway due to damage and Mr Smith was arrested.
Mr Smith's licence was allegedly suspended and the vehicle was unregistered.
Detective Senior Constable Binks said he was concerned Mr Smith would offend if released on bail.
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Mr Smith's uncle, who supported him in court, offered his rural property as a place for his nephew to stay if he was released, and said he had plenty of work for him on the farm.
Mr Smith was required to show compelling circumstances to secure bail, and magistrate Patrick Southey said one was the possibility that he would not receive a prison sentence, if he pleaded or was found guilty of the alleged offences.
But police prosecutor Senior Constable Courtney Hughes said a custodial sentence was in range.
He submitted the risk of endangering the public was also unacceptable.
Mr Southey refused bail because Mr Smith had not shown compelling reasons.
While he said Mr Smith's uncle's property appeared a good place to be bailed to, he suggested he needed to organise some drug rehabilitation.
Mr Southey said the allegations were alarming.
"It's not someone who's had a telly stolen, it's life and death behaviour, it's really dangerous," he said.
Mr Smith is expected to make another bail application next week
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