Teenager, 13, remanded in custody after multiple charges relating to the theft of a Nissan Patrol in Geraldton

A Geraldton teenager has been remanded in custody over several “outrageous” charges relating to the theft of a car leading to a high-speed police chase on Saturday. In Geraldton Children’s Court on Monday, the court heard the 13-year-old accused and a 12-year-old boy entered a Wandina address about 9.30pm, stealing the keys to a Nissan Patrol and driving it away. Police say they were informed of the incident soon afterwards, and made an attempt to stop the vehicle, believed to be worth about $80,000, which they say was being driven in a reckless manner in Rangeway. A police pursuit took place, stretching over several suburbs including Geraldton, Spalding, and Wonthella. Prosecutors say the accused travelled up to 140km/h in the vehicle in a 90km/h zone. At 11.45pm, police found the vehicle in Northampton, where an unmarked police car tried to stop it by parking in front of it. Police say the accused tried to evade police by accelerating, with the car stalling as a result. They say the car came to a stop when it nudged the police vehicle, and police arrested the accused boys after they tried to run away. The 13-year-old accused was charged with aggravated home burglary; stealing a motor vehicle; no authority to drive; reckless driving to escape pursuit by police; aggravated burglary; stealing; endangering the life, health, or safety of a person; possessing a controlled weapon; and failing to comply with a direction to stop. He sought bail, with defence lawyer Veronica Randall arguing the funeral of a relative and his family’s efforts to get him back into school, along with the conditions of a 24-hour curfew, allowed it to be approved. However, Magistrate Matthew Walton said the teenager’s long history before the court, along with the “inherently serious” alleged offences, made it difficult to impose bail. In front of the accused’s mother, he said he was uncertain whether the strictest of bail conditions would be enough to prevent him from reoffending. Mr Walton refused bail, saying he took into account the “outrageous offences” and the “risk to the community”. The teenager was remanded in custody, and will be due back in court on Tuesday, August 20. His 12-year-old co-accused appeared in court on Monday but was granted bail. He is due back in court on Tuesday.