Accused car thief bailed
A GEELONG teenager was on three sets of bail when he allegedly stole a car that led police on a dangerous pursuit before crashing in flames in Melbourne’s east on Christmas Eve.
The 16-year-old boy faced a children’s court yesterday, when he was granted bail again, despite police fears he would put the public’s safety at risk.
The court heard his alleged crime spree began when he and another boy, 15, broke into a home on Peter St, Bell Post Hill, about 4am on December 24.
Geelong CIU detective Senior Constable Paul Evans said a man was watching a movie in the house when he heard noises and saw his Volkswagen sedan reversing out of the driveway.
The car, allegedly being driven by the 15-year-old, collided with another vehicle before driving away.
Sen-Constable Evans said police spotted the car about 30 minutes later on the Princes
Highway, Corio, but it took off at speed.
The court heard a police helicopter became involved as the vehicle was pursued extensively through Geelong’s northern and western suburbs, where it ran multiple red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road.
The car’s wheels were punctured after police deployed spikes in Geelong, but it continued driving towards Melbourne, where it was seen on fire after exiting the Burnley Tunnel.
It eventually crashed into a street sign on Toorak Rd, Hawthorn, and the two boys were arrested.
The 16-year-old has been charged with aggravated burglary and car theft, while his younger co-accused is also facing serious driving offences stemming from the pursuit.
Opposing the 16-year-old’s application for bail, Sen-Constable Evans said police believed the boy was an unacceptable risk of committing further offences and endangering the public.
“There’s no bail conditions … that could ensure he would abide by them,” he said.
The teen’s lawyer said her client had already spent 30 days in custody since the arrest, which was his first stint behind bars.
The magistrate chose to grant bail due to a range of factors, including the boy’s young age, family support and lack of prior criminal history.
“Although there is a risk of (him) reoffending, I think it is manageable,” the magistrate said.
The bail conditions state the boy must live with his mother, abide by a curfew and not associate with his co-accused.
He will return to court on March 5.