Kaylan Jenkins denied bail after allegedly leading police on high speed chase through eastern suburbs
An Abbotsford man has been accused of leading police on a high speed chase through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in an allegedly stolen car.
Inner East
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A 23-year-old unemployed man has been arrested after a high-speed police chase through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in an allegedly stolen car.
Abbotsford man Kaylan Jenkins fronted Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court seeking bail on multiple charges, including theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
Police said they spotted Mr Jenkins in a stolen blue Ford Falcon at Nunawading around 4.30am on Wednesday morning and pursued him by road and air for over 45 minutes.
Officers on the ground successfully deployed stop sticks, deflating the car’s tyres. Despite this, Mr Jenkins allegedly continued driving recklessly, including on the wrong side of the road in the Chadstone Shopping Centre precinct, reaching speeds of more than 120km/h multiple times.
Police claimed he eventually stopped only when the vehicle’s tyres were completely degraded, at which point he was arrested on East Boundary Rd in Bentleigh East.
Upon his arrest, police alleged Mr Jenkins was carrying capped syringes and an auto car key programming tool in a pink backpack. Investigations revealed he was a disqualified driver, having previously held only a Victorian learner’s permit.
The court heard Mr Jenkins gave a no-comment interview when he was taken to Moorabbin police station.
Police said they had concerns that Mr Jenkins would continue with a similar type of offending if he was granted bail.
“His sheer frequency of (alleged) offending has directly impacted the lives of a staggering number of (alleged) victims. He has a staggering propensity for violence,” First Constable Mark Webster told the court.
“His willingness to drive stolen motor vehicles poses an unacceptable risk to other road users and the community at large,” Sen Webster said.
“Police do not believe there are any conditions of bail that could be imposed on the accused … that would mitigate the risk to the public,” he said.
Mr Jenkins’ lawyer said police had no evidence her client had actually stolen the vehicle and claimed there was no indication of dangerous driving until the stop sticks were deployed.
The court also heard of his mental health issues and Mr Jenkins struggles with substance abuse.
“He is a young man, only 23 years of age. He was unfortunately introduced to drugs at the age of eleven. He has prospects of rehabilitation,” Mr Jenkins’ lawyer submitted.
Magistrate David Starvaggi said he was struggling to see a more serious example of dangerous driving and denied bail citing unacceptable risk of danger to the public.
“(Mr Jenkins showed) a flagrant disregard for community safety and public safety. It was an example of driving that could have led to more serious charges,” Mr Starvaggi said
Mr Jenkins is next set to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on December 17.
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