A man accused of a brazen carjacking outside a Geelong primary school has been hit with a slew of additional charges, painting a picture of an alleged crime spree across the region.
School Carjacking Sparks Police Manhunt
The incident that first brought the alleged offender to police attention occurred on the morning of Thursday, May 16. According to authorities, a 38-year-old man was sitting in his silver Toyota Kluger in the car park of Lara Primary School on Station Lake Road.
It is alleged that another man approached the vehicle, threatened the driver, and then forcibly stole the car. The victim was not physically injured but was left shaken by the terrifying ordeal. The stolen SUV was later found by police in the nearby suburb of Corio.
String of Alleged Offences Uncovered
Following the carjacking, Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives launched an investigation. Their inquiries led them to a 31-year-old Lara man, Nicholas Harrison.
Harrison was arrested and initially charged over the school incident. However, police allege his criminal activity was far more extensive. He has now been charged with a total of 17 offences relating to a series of alleged incidents.
The additional charges include:
- Multiple counts of theft from a motor vehicle
- Handling stolen goods
- Unlicensed driving
- Using a counterfeit registration plate
- Possessing a drug of dependence
- Failing to answer bail
These charges are connected to alleged offences that took place in the Geelong, Lara, and Corio areas throughout May.
Court Appearance and Community Impact
Nicholas Harrison faced the Geelong Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, May 21, to answer to the raft of charges. The matter was adjourned, and he was remanded in custody to appear again at a later date.
The carjacking incident sent shockwaves through the Lara community, particularly given its location at a primary school during a busy morning period. Parents and residents expressed deep concern over the bold nature of the alleged crime in a place typically associated with safety.
Local police have reiterated their commitment to targeting property crime and offences that impact community safety. The investigation that began with the carjacking ultimately uncovered a wider pattern of alleged criminal behaviour, leading to the significant number of charges now before the court.
The case continues as the judicial process takes its course.
