A HOMELESS man, who stole school ute and then dumped it at a patrol station and walked away after coming under scrutiny, has been placed on community corrections order.
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Andrew Jennings, 26, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to theft of a vehicle, breaching bail, possessing a weapon and possessing prescription medication.
Warrnambool police Senior Constable Greg Kew said that earlier this month Jennings was stopped near the police station, at the intersection of Koroit and Fairy streets, and found to be in possession of a knife.
Jennings also had prescription tablets but no prescription.
On June 8 Jennings went to Warrnambool College where he stole the ute which had been parked with the keys in it.
He drove to the a BP service station on the eastern outskirts of Warrnambool where he bought cigarettes and a drink.
A staff member became suspicious because of his erratic behaviour while he also tried to buy matches.
Jennings had parked the car and then walked off.
Two days later the service station staff reported the suspicious vehicle which was still parked there.
Security camera footage showed Jennings parking the car before walking off and he was forensically linked to a fuel card.
Last Friday Jennings was arrested but not interviewed because of his erratic behaviour.
He had been using ice.
Jennings said he was losing his mind after being held in the Warrnambool police station cells during the weekend and added that being locked up turned him into an aggressive animal.
Magistrate Peter Mellas placed Jennings on a nine-month corrections order with conditions he undertake assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and programs as requested.
He was also banned from driving for three months.
