A man who led officers on a wild police chase just one week after he was released from jail is at risk of being “institutionalised”.
Jake Quinton, 26, of Corio, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court to charges including burglary, criminal damage, handling stolen goods, disqualified driving, breaching intervention orders and dangerous driving.
A statement of police facts read out to the court revealed Quinton, along with three other unidentified co-accused, gained entry to a premises in Greenhills Rd, Blackwood on February 8, 2022.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable David Vanderpol said the group stole numerous items from the residence and also damaged the property fleeing the scene before police arrived.
Constable Vanderpol said Quinton was captured on CCTV drinking out of a McDonalds cup and left the straw, which carried his DNA, at the scene.
In May 2022, Quinton was jailed for violent offending and unrelated matters.
About 3pm on Tuesday, March 21 this year, police spotted Quinton doing a burnout on the corner of Cox Rd in Corio.
When officers approached him, Quinton did a U-turn before doing another burnout. Quinton did not pull over when police turned on their lights and he was seen weaving between traffic on Bacchus Marsh Rd.
Police called off their pursuit and Quinton was later found by the police helicopter after he drove the stolen car into a block in Corio, and tried to hide.
He was taken into police custody and questioned. Quinton’s lawyer said her client was at risk of being institutionalised and since 2014 had spent more than 2000 days in custody.
Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge convicted Quinton and sentenced him to 10 months in prison, with 79 days in custody reckoned as time served.
He was also ordered to undertake 150 hours of community work and had his licence cancelled for 18 months.