'I've committed so many crimes I can't remember them all'

A man whose six-month crime spree ended in a crash near Rotorua told police he committed so many offences he could not remember them all.

Neil Scott Crowe, 45, of no fixed abode, accumulated nearly $10,000 in unpaid motel bills in the North Island and stole petrol and a car, which he crashed after being chased by police.

Crowe pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to 19 charges. They were: reckless driving, failing to stop for police, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, four charges of incurring debt by deception, five charges of causing loss by deception and seven charges of theft.

Crowe admitted the offences, committed between February and August, and told police he had committed so many he could not remember them all.

The police summary of facts stated Crowe checked in to motels in Rotorua, Wairoa, Stratford, Taupo, Te Awamutu, Tauranga and Whakatane under false names.

He also stole petrol from gas stations in Rotorua, Palmerston North and Whakatane, a television from a motel, and bought a $6500 1994 Honda Accord motor vehicle at Taupo's John Barrett Motors but did not make any payments.

He was arrested on August 2 following a 45km police chase between Te Teko and Rotorua, in which he reached speeds of up to 175km/h.

Judge Chris McGuire convicted Crowe and remanded him in custody until October 12 for a pre-sentence report.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)