Eleven years ago, a woman was jailed for helping cover up a bloody murder by cleaning the crime scene.
Now, police fear Crystal Portelli has destroyed a car to hide her alleged involvement in the hit-run of a 40-year-old cyclist.
“This marks the second known incident where the accused has deliberately engaged in actions to conceal a crime leading to death, previously orchestrating attempts to eliminate murder evidence,” Senior Constable Stuart Dale stated at the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Portelli, 40, has been charged with four offences after it’s alleged she fled the scene of a fatal crash.
A cyclist died after being hit by an Audi which police allege Portelli was driving, at Coburg in Melbourne’s north, on August 24.
Detectives have not located the Audi since the crash.
Today, Portelli sought bail in court, which police contested due to various risks she posed: community safety, obstructing justice, and not responding to bail.
“Efforts to find the Audi involved in this crime continue, with police believing the accused poses a significant risk of hindering the search for the vehicle if bail is granted,” Sen Const Dale remarked.
Portelli faces charges for not stopping at an accident scene, not providing assistance, not reporting a collision to police, and driving while suspended.
Dale said she is yet to be charged with any offences regarding the fatal collision, but police investigations to locate the Audi were continuing.
“Dangerous driving causing death charges are under consideration,” he said.
The officer detailed Portelli’s extensive list of past offenses, which includes 24 previous breaches of bail conditions, various driving infractions, and an assisting murder conviction resulting in an eight-month jail term.
“Over the last 14 years, the accused has a substantial criminal record, featuring offenses that directly relate to the current charges,” Dale noted.
“This includes on the 11th of May 2013 … the accused co-ordinated and participated in the cleaning of a murder scene and the arson of a motor vehicle to assist the primary offender avoiding apprehension and prosecution.”
Portelli’s 25 pages of priors also include speeding to get away from police, driving through a red light and then through a park before running from the vehicle, the court was told.
The officer said Portelli’s licence had been suspended when the August crash occurred and she had 113 demerit points.
Her defence lawyer argued Portelli’s current charges were not serious and she was entitled to bail.
He asked magistrate Felicity Broughton not to hand Portelli “a form of preventative detention or punishment” by keeping her behind bars based on prior offending.
However, the magistrate denied Portelli’s release citing her “significant history” of offending and risk that she may obstruct the course of justice due to her murder assist prior.
Portelli, who cried as the magistrate rejected her bail application, will return to the court on January 5.
