100-crime youth mocks authority

Officer slams court after new year high-speed car chase

A 16-YEAR-OLD who has racked up more than 100 criminal charges and was in a car which led police on a highspeed chase from Geelong to Melbourne and back on January 1 had an arrest warrant hanging over his head at the time, the Geelong Advertiser can reveal.

It comes as a police officer familiar with the teen’s offending has criticised the Children’s Court for failing to protect the commmunity. “It makes a mockery of what we are employed to do: to protect and serve,” an officer who did not want to be named said.

The boy — who has previously baited police saying the Children’s Court cannot properly punish him — was arrested in South Geelong at 5am and charged with car theft and three counts of robbery after attending a New Year’s Eve party in St Albans Park.

A warrant for the boy’s arrest had been issued on December 20 after he failed to appear in court following an al- leged crime spree alongside four teenage accomplices in November, during which a police officer was nearly run over and three cars were stolen.

The spree ended when a policeman drew his gun in an underground Crown Casino car park as the group attempted to flee in one of the stolen cars.

The boy’s arrest at Crown Casino came after he was recently released from Parkville Youth Justice Centre.

The teenager’s history of offending includes multiple counts of aggravated burglary, car theft and failing to comply with bail.

Fed-up police have criticised the Children’s Court and current bail laws.

“He is governed by no rules and is a law unto himself and the courts continue to support his naive attitude,” the officer who did not want to be named said.

“We are forever arresting youth offenders for crimes that risk the safety of the community only to watch them walk back out the doors of the police station hours later.”

The 16-year-old has been remanded for his alleged part in the New Year’s Eve robbery and police chase, and is set to face court later this month.

But police remain wary the boy considered one of “Geelong’s most active youth offenders” could be released again.

“Growing concern is being raised through the ranks of the force over the court and government’s lack of proactive action,” the officer said.

“When will the courts start putting the community first and the offender second?

“It’s time the courts stand up and heed the community outrage in their lack of action.”

“We are forever arresting youth offenders for crimes that risk the safety of the community only to watch them walk back out the doors of the police station hours later.” AN UNNAMED POLICE OFFICER