Reservoir police chase: Jason Guptill accused of erratic driving
A Kiwi national allegedly took on the Aussie boys and girls in blue on a wild car chase through the northern suburbs. He even allegedly pulled an audacious move with a passenger.
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A man and woman allegedly took turns driving during a high-speed police chase, swapping seats while they drove, hitting another car in the process.
Jason Guptill allegedly came close to causing multiple collisions as he allegedly drove at extreme speed through Melbourne’s northern suburbs on April 13, having allegedly taken ice and GHB.
He allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road as a police helicopter tracked the car, before he was allegedly found with drugs and drug dealing paraphernalia, Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court heard.
The New Zealand national fronted court on Wednesday, May 28, having been locked up for 44 days since the incident and denied bail.
The court heard police tried to pull over a Holden Commodore they saw carrying three people in Reservoir about 3.57pm on April 13.
A female driver then allegedly accelerated significantly over the speed limit and did a series of high speed turns to try to get away from police.
Acting Sergeant McErlain said while the car was still moving at speed, the driver lowered the driver’s seat and climbed into the back seat and Guptill allegedly took up position behind the wheel.
The car hit a stationary vehicle during the swap, yet Guptill allegedly continued to drive dangerously and erratically through Reservoir, Greensborough, Heidelberg, Macleod and Ivanhoe.
About 4.15pm he pulled into the underground carpark of Woolworths Ivanhoe, where the trio ditched the car, the court heard.
Guptill allegedly bought a slab of Jack Daniels and cola cans from BWS before he was arrested leaving the car park on foot.
The court heard he was allegedly carrying a black bag containing more than a litre of GHB, methamphetamine, prescription medication, a torch and multiple car keys.
Two notebooks containing names and amounts, deal bags and scales were also allegedly found in the bag.
The court heard Guptill was also accused of being involved in the theft of two cars when Lalor’s Domjohn Automotive was broken into overnight on April 7-8.
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Guptill’s lawyer told the court he had a difficult childhood, and was worried he would face deportation.
She said he had taken methamphetamine and GHB on the day of the police chase.
She told the court the large amount of GHB was payment from a friend for work on a car, for personal use, not trafficking, and pushed for him to be released on another corrections order.
But the prosecution said Guptill, who was accused of serious driving offences which put lawful road users at risk, including police, should be jailed.
Act Sgt McErlain said the motivation to avoid deportation existed before these alleged crimes.
Magistrate Helen Murphy indicated she would give Guptill a seven-month jail sentence if he pleaded guilty to the crimes.
He declined, meaning the charges will be further disputed on June 16.