David Miller, 29, of Drummond Street, successfully applied for bail in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court last Thursday after being charged two days earlier.

He indicated he would plead guilty to charges in court on Monday.

Miller then failed to appear in court.

A police officer muttered loudly in court: "surprise, surprise" when Mr Miller failed to show.

Magistrate John Lesser, who released Miller on bail, said the charges were serious and he now had no option other than to issue a warrant for the accused man’s arrest.

Miller has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, driving in a dangerous manner, wilful damage, conduct endangering life, going equipped to steal and carrying a controlled weapon.

He had been out of jail three weeks after being sentenced to serve 18 months’ imprisonment for an alcohol and ice-fuelled rampage which included a carjacking in Warrnambool. 

Miller’s theft of the car at Dennington occurred on January 18 last year after he had consumed a large amount of alcohol.

He had demanded a lift  and when a driver refused, he told the driver to get out and drove to Sydney.

Miller reached speeds of up to 150km/h near Winchelsea but police had not attempted to pursue him because of suspicions that he was affected by drugs or alcohol. He stole fuel from numerous petrol stations and dumped the car in Sydney.

Police now allege that about 11pm on Tuesday last week Miller stole a red Holden Commodore. 

It is then alleged police had to swerve to avoid a collision with Miller, who was driving the stolen vehicle, before he crashed into a fence in Morriss Road and was soon after arrested.

In his bail application, Miller said he was apologetic and mortified by his behaviour and he had to address his issues with alcohol.

Miller said his mother died when he was 15 years old and he had been "left to his own devices" since then.

The court heard Miller had an extensive criminal record and had served a number of jail sentences.

The magistrate granted bail with strict conditions, including daily reporting to Warrnambool police and Miller not leave Victoria.