Rhyce Scaramella: Heidelberg West man tested for COVID after being accused of drug dealing
An alleged Heidelberg West drug dealer has been caught breaching Melbourne’s lockdown curfew in “most concerning” circumstances. And he allegedly committed a disgusting act on a police officer
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An alleged drug dealer who has COVID-19 symptoms has been caught breaching Melbourne’s lockdown curfew in suspicious circumstances.
Rhyce Scaramella was out with another man just before 2am on Monday and allegedly had a large amount of drugs, weapons and cash with him, while a third man waited at his front door.
Scaramella was found to have symptoms of COVID-19 when he was arrested and taken into custody, Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court has heard.
The incident comes after he allegedly deliberately coughed on police while claiming to have symptoms of the virus when he was arrested in April.
Scaramella’s lawyer, Mel Walker, applied for bail on his behalf on Monday, August 10.
The court heard patrolling police saw a man at the front door of Scaramella’s Heidelberg West home, who claimed he was visiting but no one was home, about 1.50am yesterday.
Leading Senior Constable Lee-Anne Meade said police then saw two men on dirt bikes drive up to the address and turn into a nearby court after seeing police.
Police followed them into the court, while one rider managed to get away.
Officers allegedly found the second bike in the parking area of a group of units, where they allegedly saw Scaramella, who was standing nearby, throw something into a unit’s courtyard.
They arrested him, allegedly finding he had marks on his face consistent with having worn a helmet and a knife in his pocket.
In the courtyard they allegedly found a dirt bike helmet with Gopro attached, dirt bike clothing, gloves and a bumbag.
The bag allegedly contained 8.3g of methamphetamine, 37.3g of cannabis, GHB in a Dettol hand sanitiser bottle, valium and LSD tablets, knuckle dusters, $485 and Scaramella’s phone.
He didn’t have a motorbike licence and had allegedly been driving dangerously.
The court heard he was on bail for several alleged incidents earlier this year, including when he was arrested on a warrant on April 21 and allegedly deliberately coughed on officers while claiming to have COVID-19 symptoms.
Leading Senior Constable Meade said Scaramella was abusive when he was searched at Heidelberg police station and said to a sergeant, “I’m going to cough on you,” after saying he had a cough and a fever.
Scaramella allegedly then coughed on the sergeant twice, while three other officers were close by.
He allegedly then threw his clothes at an officer, before raising his fists.
Ms Walker said her client would be contesting the charges, meaning there would be a delay in getting the drugs and any DNA tested, potentially leading to him spending more time in custody waiting for a resolution than he could be sentenced to.
Magistrate Ian Alger said the police case was not at all weak, and the circumstances were “most concerning”.
He said Ms Walker had probably proven exceptional circumstances for why Scaramella should be granted bail, but he was unsure about the risk.
Mr Alger adjourned the matter to Friday, August 14, so he could give it more thought, and said in the meantime spot tests on the drugs and Scaramella’s COVID-19 test could be done.
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