Travis Smith bail application approved: alleged dangerous driver released
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A Hampton Park man has been released on bail after an alleged high speed car chase ended with a 90 minute rooftop stand off with cops.
Travis Smith, 28, fronted the Dandenong Magistrates' Court on Thursday facing charges including two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life, two counts of going equipped to steal, nine counts of contravening bail conditions as well as multiple drug charges and alleged driving offences.
In court documents seen by the Herald Sun, police say Mr Smith was involved in two overnight car thefts from Doveton on May 12, alongside a 27-year-old man, also from Hampton Park.
On May 14, the court heard AirWing police were allegedly led through Doveton, Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Hampton Park, where police say he then drove through red lights at an 'excessive speed'.
Mr Smith allegedly avoided deployed stop sticks on Power Rd, Princes Hwy and Kidds Rd in Doveton, before the vehicle was abandoned in a Hampton Park street.
Police say he jumped into another car — also believed stolen — driven by his co-accused, after which the AirWing continued to track the pair as they fled to a Berwick address.
The court heard cops arrested his co-accused inside the southeastern property before Mr Smith allegedly jumped numerous fences and climbed onto the roof of a Lyndall Crt home.
Police allege Mr Smith remained on the roof for 90 minutes before surrendering into custody.
In the second session of a part heard bail application on Thursday, Mr Smith's lawyer argued for him to be released into the supervision of a family friend in Geelong.
The court heard Mr Smith would have immediate access to Indigenous community support and that community members were 'keen to meet' him.
Magistrate Francis Medina said the allegations against Mr Smith were 'concerning' but felt the 'risk would be ameliorated to an acceptable level' with strict bail conditions.
Mr Smith was released on supervised bail, with conditions including a 10pm to 6am curfew and not to drive a motor vehicle.
'This isn't to say I'm not concerned about the allegations of particularly your driving behaviour,' Ms Medina said.
'These are significantly concerning risks — I'm hoping you comply.'
Mr Smith will return to court on a later date.
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