UPDATE: A man from Craisbrook has been sentenced following a dangerous police pursuit and a series of thefts across central Victoria. Nathan Weightman, 29, appeared in the Magistrates’ Court in Bendigo, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle.
The court heard that between December 2024 and September 2025, Weightman was involved in a spree of thefts and burglaries in areas including Maryborough, Creswick, Kyneton, and Stawell. Police prosecutor Senior Constable Benjamin Bradford detailed alarming incidents, including a break-in at a Toyota dealership in Melton at around 2 AM on March 11, where a vehicle was stolen using a key programming device.
On May 17, a hardware store in Creswick was targeted, with thieves loading numerous stolen items onto a trailer before fleeing. The crime wave continued with a break-in at Weightman’s own property, where industrial tools were taken, and another vehicle theft from Stawell on July 7. Notably, Weightman was caught on CCTV driving one of the stolen vehicles at a McDonald’s in Maryborough on July 28, using false registration plates.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Weightman’s home on August 22, uncovering stolen goods from the Creswick and Carisbrook burglaries, alongside the vehicles stolen from Melton and Stawell. A key programming device was also found in Weightman’s backpack, linking him directly to the thefts.
On September 3, police observed Weightman leaving his residence in a black Ford Focus, driving at speeds exceeding 100 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Despite initially pulling over, he sped off again, prompting police to abandon the chase for safety.
Another search on September 9 revealed additional stolen items at his home. After serving 78 days of pre-sentence detention, Weightman was offered a chance for rehabilitation. Defense barrister Alexis Buckley noted his acceptance into a residential drug rehabilitation program, emphasizing his struggles with narcotics during his criminal activities.
Magistrate Megan Aumair described Weightman’s history as “appalling,” warning that without a significant change, he risked spending the best years of his life in prison. Weightman received a sentence of 78 days in jail, time served, along with an 18-month community corrections order focused on drug counseling and rehabilitation. His driving license was also cancelled for 18 months.
This urgent case highlights the ongoing battle against crime and substance abuse in Victoria, as communities seek safety and justice. Readers are encouraged to stay updated as this developing story unfolds.
