Gruesome dashboard camera images from inside a stolen Audi R8 show the car crashing into oncoming traffic as it travels through suburban streets at 160 km / h.
The powerful vehicle was parked in front of a couple’s home in Newcastle when it was snatched just before 3pm on December 20.
When the vehicle left Mereweather’s house, the dash cam automatically turned on to record the thief’s dangerous journey.
Dash camera footage taken from inside a stolen Audi captured the car swinging in front of vehicles and racing through stop signs on a dangerous joy ride in Newcastle
The car sped through town, raced through red traffic lights (a photo) and drove in and out of lanes
The images posted online show the driver racing down the road and taking the other lane at high speed to overtake other cars.
The supercar nearly collides with other drivers before quickly back into the correct lane.
The engine roar can be heard as the sports car roars through suburban streets, hurtling across multiple stops and giving way at speeds nearly 100 km above the speed limit.
When the car reaches a traffic light, the driver swerves for the opposite lane to turn right, almost colliding with an oncoming four-wheel drive.
The car continues to race down the road, cornering, cutting speed bumps and beeping at other vehicles as it speeds through stop signs.
At one point, the driver stops, as the smoke emerges from the front of the vehicle, prompting pedestrians to jump into the car.
“Come on, come in here!” he shouts.
Owners Luke and Bec (pictured) said they estimate the damage to their Audi at $ 100,000
The Audi R8 was stolen from a Mereweather house, in Newcastle on December 20 (stock image)
If they refuse, he’ll drive down the road, rip a U-turn, then race back toward them, forcing the group to jump up the curb, out of the Audi path.
The car continues its thrilling ride through Newcastle, charging through red lights, emerging from the gutters and nearly crashing into other cars, before pulling into a driveway to show off the vehicle to friends.
The man then takes the car to another area, opens a side gate and drives it into a backyard.
Owners Luke and Bec, who only bought the Audi three months ago, immediately notified the police and were able to track down the vehicle using the Facebook community.
Luke said he estimates the damage at about $ 100,000.
“He absolutely screwed up this car. [Going] At 87 km / h he hit gutters on both sides. One then the other, ”he told 9News.
“Imagine hitting someone at 120 mph through that stop sign.”
Three days later, police arrested Darren Johns, 49, in a house on Nooroo Close, Windale.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with auto theft, reckless driving, dangerous driving, unlicensed driving, and home burglary to steal more than $ 60,000.
The driver pulled up next to a group of pedestrians and asked them to jump in the car for a ride
The car continued to race around town, dangerously breaking traffic rules and nearly colliding with several other vehicles
Police will allege he has committed several driving violations, including crossing double white lines to overtake vehicles, driving on the wrong side of the road and speeding about 160 km / h in a 60 km / h zone.
On December 24, he was denied bail to appear in Newcastle court.
Wayne Humphrey, Chief Inspector of Newcastle Police, said the Johns’ horrendous driving behavior was one of the worst examples of dangerous driving he had ever seen.
“Driving at an extreme level is dangerous – going too fast through residential areas and stop signs, over pedestrian crossings,” he said.
‘Driving more than 160 km / h in built-up areas, overtaking other motorists on double uninterrupted lines and crossing to the wrong side of the road.
“This way of driving puts dozens of lives in danger.”
Darren Johns (pictured), 49, was arrested three days later and is facing several charges related to the incident