Dylan Devlin: Speed demon steals car, clocks 230km/h

A homeless man reached speeds at up to 230km/h when he stole a car and drove it from Albury to Sydney and back in less than seven hours, a court has heard.

An Albury man has claimed he drove to Sydney and back in a stolen car, at speeds of up to 230km/h.

A Table Top man drove from Albury to Sydney and back in less than seven hours in a stolen car reaching speeds at up to 230km/h, a court has heard.

Dylan Devlin, 21, appeared at Albury Local Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to multiple driving and theft offences.

Court documents reveal Devlin stole the keys to a red Saab parked in East Albury on March 13 and 21 before stealing $31.63 of fuel from the Apco service station on Mate St with the help of his co-accused, a juvenile.

The pair drove to Sydney, and on the way stole fuel from Yass Mobil service station.

After his arrest, Devlin told police he had driven at speeds up to 230km/h with his foot “flat to the floor”.

The documents showed Devlin told police the trip took less than seven hours due to the extreme speeds he was driving.

Devlin later ditched the Saab on Parrell St with the keys in the ignition.

On March 16, 2021, Devlin stole an unlocked white Ford falcon from Pech Ave in Jindera.

Documents showed Devlin drove to Wodonga and stole a set of Victorian number plates which he attached to the Ford before driving back to Albury.

Devlin, and another juvenile co-accused, stole $69 of fuel from the Coles Shell Express service station on Wagga Rd.

On March 17, police sighted the Ford at a Hibiscus Cres, West Albury, home.

When police arrived, the accused jumped the fence and ran into the bush, throwing away the keys to the Ford as he went.

He was later found hiding in the front yard of an Endeavour Pl home where he was arrested.

Devlin’s defence solicitor Tim Hemsley said both cars were recovered undamaged.

“The vehicles weren’t set alight or torched as they often are,” he said.

Mr Hemsley said his client was on a Community Corrections Order from the District Court for stealing an iPhone, wallet, and silver necklace from a person.

He said at the time of Devlin’s offending, the accused was homeless and using methamphetamines, but was now sober due to his time in custody.

“He has now spent 50 days, including his 21st birthday, in custody in Junee,” Mr Hemsley said.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Coombs said the threshold for jail had been crossed.

“The absence of further offending is not a mitigating factor,” Sgt Coombs said.

Magistrate Richard Funston said he was willing to give Devlin “one last chance” to prove he could behave himself by adjourning his sentence for three months, and granting him bail on the condition he abstain from drugs.

Mr Funston ordered an updated sentencing assessment report before Devlin’s next appearance.

Devlin will be sentenced at Albury Local Court on September 15. 

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