Alleged driver to remain in custody after police use helicopter during chase through suburbs

The teenage driver who was allegedly tracked by police for 64km in a high speed chase has found out whether he will be held in custody.

The teenager who allegedly led police on a wild chase along the Northern Expressway has been remanded in custody.

Appearing in the Adelaide Youth Court on Monday, the 17-year-old alleged driver made no application for bail – with a prosecutor stating he was a “completely inappropriate” risk to other road users.

Just after 7pm on Saturday night, police were alerted to a white Holden sedan acting suspiciously on Main North Rd at Hillbank.

The 17 year old alleged driver has been remanded in custody. Photo: File

After checks revealed the car had been stolen that morning from Enfield, the police helicopter was deployed and followed the car as it travelled along the expressway at Penfield.

It will be alleged the car reached speeds of 190km/h before exiting at Grand Junction Rd, then travelling through backstreets in Mansfield Park, Regency Park and Ridleyton.

At 7.35pm, the car pulled onto First St, where three passengers were seen running from the back seat.

Officers and Police Dog Bandit found two of them on Forster St and a third on McInnes St.

The car kept driving, reaching speeds of 160km/h on Grand Junction Rd, before stopping on De Costa Ave at Prospect at 7.55pm.

The driver and another two passengers ran but were found on Ballville St.

The group – aged between 13 and 17 – have been charged with offences including illegal use of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving to escape police pursuit and driving at an extreme speed.

A 13-year-old boy from Devon Park also faced court on Monday, while the other four suspects have been bailed and will appear in court at a later date.

A prosecutor told the court on Monday Polair tracked the vehicle for 64km after they were alerted to it by a member of the public.

“The vehicle drives at extremely dangerous speeds,” the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said they would have opposed bail for the boy, as he was a “completely inappropriate risk” to other road users and was at risk of reoffending.

The 17 year old, from Port Augusta, was remanded in custody and will face court again later this month.

Originally published as Alleged driver to remain in custody after police use helicopter during chase through suburbs