A SMITHTON man stole a safe and towed it down a street before going on a West Coast crime spree that ended with a 14-hour police manhunt.
Graham John Enniss pleaded guilty to 11 charges in the Burnie Magistrates Court yesterday, including burglary, stealing and evading police. Four other charges were dismissed.
The court heard that last year Enniss ``forcibly entered'' a Queenstown childcare centre and stole a safe.
The safe was later seen being towed down a street until the tow rope snapped leaving the safe on the road.
Enniss continued to Zeehan where other businesses were ``unlawfully entered'' and ``property stolen''.
Police attempted to intercept Enniss, but were unsuccessful until road spikes were placed on the Murchison Highway.
Enniss then ``fled to bushland'' and was later apprehended by police.
The court also heard details of crimes over a 12-month period before the West Coast crime spree, which included a number of separate traffic offences around the Circular Head area.
Magistrate Don Jones adjourned sentencing to February 17.