I did it, teen tells court
Car theft, robbery, cop chase and crash
A WHITTINGTON teen who led police on a wild chase between Geelong and Melbourne before the pursuit ended in a dramatic smash has pleaded guilty to several offences.
Apai Ali, 19, yesterday pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court to charges including robbery, car theft and evading police.
On New Year’s Eve, the refugee from Sudan stole a car from Wyndham Vale before gatecrashing a party in St Albans Park.
While at the party, Ali — who was with a 16-year-old coaccused — threatened to stab three teens as young as 14, before stealing two iPhones from the boys.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Geoff Lamb said the teen victims were left “extremely shaken”.
Police were soon alerted to Ali and the co-accused’s whereabouts when they sighted the stolen car travelling through Wallington about 2.30am on January 1.
Ali drove towards Melbourne, reaching speeds of up to 180km/h and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Stop sticks were deployed in Corio and managed to deflate one rear tyre, but Ali continued driving at speeds between 130km/h and 180km/h until he turned around at Brooklyn.
The car was eventually stopped on Fyans St in South Geelong when police deployed more stop sticks, and after Ali slammed into a taxi and an unmarked police car.
He fled before police caught and arrested him 500m away.
The court heard Ali had an extensive criminal record, including multiple burglaries committed in January and February last year.
His lawyer said Ali was exposed to war and violence before emigrating from Sudan in 2005. She said Ali was drug-affected on the night and struggled to remember what happened.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said the community would be put at risk if Ali was released. He remanded him in custody until April 17 for sentencing.