Man told court he fled police because he feared gangs
Jake Gray, 29, claimed he sped away from police twice because he thought gangs were chasing him, not police.
Jake Gray appeared in Bendigo Magistrate's Court seeking bail on charges of dangerous driving while evading police. In May, officers spotted him in a stolen white Lexus in North Bendigo.
When followed, he accelerated from 80kmh to 120kmh and sped off. Two days later, police found him driving another white Lexus on High Street and activated their lights and sirens, but he undertook a car during rush-hour traffic and drove away.
When interviewed, Gray said he did not see or hear the police signals on either occasion. He told court he sped off because he thought gangs were after him.
Magistrate Jarrod Williams refused bail, saying Gray had not shown exceptional circumstances and could still pose an unacceptable risk to public safety.
- Jake Gray, 29, from Quarry Hill
- Age and location
- 20 May 2026, North Bendigo
- First incident
- 120kmh in first chase
- Speed reached
- Nearly six months when bail hearing held
- Custody length
Why it mattersThe court outcome shows how claims about why someone fled police are weighed against public safety concerns.
AustraliaA Bendigo man remains in custody on serious driving charges while awaiting trial in a regional Victoria court.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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