Jaxon Russ: Mermaid Waters teen splashes into Nerang River to escape custody, court hears

A Mermaid Waters teenager who was a passenger in a stolen car dramatically tried to escape police custody via the Nerang River. Read what happened here.

Jaxon Russ, 19, was sentenced for escape by persons in lawful custody and other charges when he appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Facebook

A Mermaid Waters teen passenger in a stolen car dramatically tried to escape police custody by sprinting off, jumping a fence and diving into Nerang River, a court has heard.

Jaxon Russ, 19, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, unlawful use of a motor vehicles, breach of bail condition, escape by persons in lawful custody when he appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard Russ was originally arrested when found in the passenger seat of a stolen black BMW after a collision at a busy Burleigh Heads intersection on March 24, 2025.

The car had swerved across two lanes, collided with a tree and traffic pole, and continued to drive with the tree embedded in its front during peak hour traffic. It was in a school zone on Reedy Creek Road, Burleigh Heads.

When police searched the vehicle, they found items suspected to be stolen including an electric scooter, and garage remotes.

The court heard that Russ was the passenger in a stolen black BMW when it swerved across two lanes of traffic on Reedy Creek Road, Burleigh Heads. Picture: Facebook

Russ was granted bail the day he was arrested on condition he report to Broadbeach police station.

The court heard Russ failed to report to on Wednesday and on Friday called the station to tell them he was aware he breached his bail.

He added he was concerned if he signed in, he would be put in the watch house.

Russ was advised he needed to, arriving a short time later when he was arrested.

The court heard he was compliant but when police escorted him to their van as they opened it, Russ ran and jumped over a car park fence.

Police chased him down Gold Coast Highway Boulevard until he came to a stop at a bridge before jumping off railing into Nerang River.

Russ returned to shore a short time later and was taken into custody.

The court heard that Russ’s three days in custody had been a very real wake up call. Picture: Facebook

Russ’s defence solicitor Joanna McNae from Ashkan Tai Lawyers told the court her client instructed he had been at the hospital with his partner due to her family matters.

She said Russ told her he had been helping his partner with tasks at home and the bail condition slipped his mind.

Ms McNae said he tried to right his wrong by going to the police station but fled after a “backflip in emotion”.

She said her client’s time in custody was a wake up call.

Magistrate Jane Bentley took note of Russ’s age but said the escaping custody charge was very serious.

“If you were a bit older or came before the court with a couple more previous convictions, you would be going to prison today,” she said.

“If you come before the court for these types of offences, that's what you can expect.”

He was sentenced to an 18 month probation order with a conviction recorded.