Burglar Tasered By Police In West Bay During Police Chase. Court Sentenced Him To 6 Months’ Imprisonment

By Alric Lindsay

A man with a history of burglary was sentenced after a drug-fuelled crime spree in West Bay culminated in a foot chase with police officers.

Jaquan Joshua Mellard appeared in the Summary Court today, September 16, 2026, via video link, to face charges of burglary, making threat to cause serious harm, resisting a police officer, possession of a utensil used in the consumption of drugs, failing to provide a specimen of urine, criminal trespass and attempted theft.

The court heard that Mellard has been held in custody since his arrest in the Spring following two separate criminal incursions in March 2026.

The court heard details of the first incident on March 12, 2026, when a West Bay resident, Mr. Lane, walked outside to empty his trash and spotted Mellard on his property.  When Mr Lane looked closer, he noticed three tyres had been stripped from a vehicle.  Mellard ran off, and police were called.

Reportedly, police chased Mellard, and when they tracked him down, Mellard became “combative” and “resisted” officers. Police deployed a Taser twice during this chase.

Mellard, who was said to be injured because of his own combative actions, was taken to the hospital for treatment. No officers were harmed during the struggle.

Barely nine days later, on March 21, Mellard struck another West Bay home while the homeowner, Mr Walker, was asleep inside. Masked and operating under the cover of night, Mellard broke into an outdoor shed at 12:30 am and stole $1,000 worth of tools. Although he initially gave police a false alibi claiming he was at his grandmother’s house, investigators definitively identified him via residential CCTV footage. He was arrested in April.

Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions argued that Mellard’s crimes represent a Category 2B burglary, placing it at the higher end of the scale due to his extensive criminal history. Regarding this burglary, DPP Crown Counsel noted that there did not appear to be any advanced planning.

Concerning his background, the court heard that Mellard’s record dates back to a 2020 Ganja conviction, an aggravated burglary, multiple thefts, and three distinct burglaries in 2022 alone. It appears that he had only recently been released in February 2026 from a 42-month prison sentence imposed previously.

Defence Counsel Crister Brady agreed with DPP Crown Counsel on the categorisation of the burglary, but pointed out that all stolen property—including Mr Walker’s tools and Mr Lane’s car tyres—had been successfully recovered and returned.

Defence counsel suggested that Mellard’s rapid return to crime was fuelled by an ongoing drug addiction. On the night of his arrest, the court heard that, following the police chase, he was “hot to the touch,” slurring his speech, sweating heavily, and desperately demanding water.

While defence counsel submitted to the court that Mellard recognised that his drug habit impacted his ability to pursue more productive matters, the Chief Magistrate noted that Mellard previously explicitly refused the option to enter the specialised Drug Court.

Responding to the Chief Magistrate, defence counsel said, “It is ultimately up to Mellard what trajectory he will take following imprisonment.”

After hearing from defence counsel and DPP Crown Counsel, the Chief Magistrate sentenced Mellard to six months’ imprisonment for burglary, with time in custody to be considered.

Regarding the other charges, including resisting a police officer, criminal trespass and attempted theft, the Chief Magistrate sentenced Mellard to four months’ imprisonment, but suspended this for two years.  The Chief Magistrate also handed down a 12-month probation order and required Mellard to reside at the Bridge Foundation. He must also register with the Counselling Centre.  The Chief Magistrate noted that any breach of the probation order would result in custody.

Mellard has a right to appeal the sentence.