Accused driver of stolen car in manhunt gets bail
New details have been revealed about the man allegedly behind the wheel of a luxury stolen car that sparked an hours-long manhunt across the Gold Coast.
Dylan John Thomas Brown has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and several drug offences after his arrest on Wednesday.
Police allege a MercedesAMG was stolen from a unit complex on Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise at about 4.30am the same day.
It is alleged Mr Brown was driving the luxury vehicle as it was tracked by Polair across the Gold Coast and Logan, speeding dangerously and crossing on to the wrong side of the road or running red lights.
Southport Magistrates Court was told on Thursday that the 30-year-old was allegedly seen going into a house to change his clothes in a bid to shake off police.
The Mercedes was found just after 12.30pm at a property on Colwill Crescent, Wolffdene. Mr Brown and another man were arrested nearby.
He was remanded in custody before appearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, when he successfully applied for bail.
The court was told the concreter had a limited criminal history with no similar past offending, and that he could be at risk of spending too much time behind bars if not granted bail.
Magistrate Louisa Pink said the evidence against Mr Brown appeared strong – including Polair CCTV and GPS tracking – but was satisfied conditions could reduce the risk of his release.
The Wolffdene man’s case was adjourned to May 2.
Mr Brown was reluctant to speak with reporters as he left the Southport watch house, saying he “didn’t even know what (they) were talking about” and that what happened on Wednesday was “for (him) to know and you to find out”.
His co-accused – a 41-yearold Heritage Park man – has been charged with drug offences and faces court on May 1.