Charges after fiery M1 chase

TWO men accused of driving stolen cars in a fiery police pursuit on the M1 have had their matters heard in court.

Jack William Atkins, 31, and Jaydon Alec Taylor, 26, both had their matters mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Mr Atkins is charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a vehicle while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, entering a dwelling and committing an offence, stealing, receiving tainted property, disqualified driving, and unlawfully possessing an item.

Mr Taylor faces one charge of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in relation to the alleged incident. It will be alleged Mr Atkins, from Coolangatta, was driving a 1991 white Toyota Landcruiser that was being tracked by officers and POLAIR on the northern end of the Gold Coast just before 9pm on Monday.

Police used a tyre deflation device on Nerang Broadbeach Rd and the 4WD came to a stop on the Pacific Motorway southbound at Carrara, near exit 73, “after the tyres delaminated and caught fire”.

It’s alleged the Toyota was stolen from a Carrara address earlier in the day.

Police allege two more vehicles were travelling with the Toyota, including a 2014 silver Audi A3 hatchback stolen from a Reedy Creek address on October 24.

Officers tracked the Audi to an address on Santa Cruz Blvd in Clear Island Waters and the alleged driver, Mr Taylor, was arrested about 11pm.

Both Mr Atkins and Mr Taylor were denied police bail after their arrest.

Neither man appeared in person when their matters were mentioned.