Zachary White on Friday faced the Victorian County Court, where he was jailed for at least 17 months after pleading guilty to theft, reckless conduct endangering life, and dangerous driving while pursued by police.
The 26-year-old stole a BMW X5 wagon from a Doncaster home in the early hours one morning in February last year.
He led police into the underground car park of a Lilydale shopping centre about 10am before getting back onto the street.
Other drivers were forced to dodge the vehicle as White sped through Melbourne's east and at various points skipped red lights, drove on the wrong side of the road, and mounted curbs.
Police spiked two of White's tyres in Springvale but he continued to drive at speeds of up to 190 km/h, causing smoke plumes as his tyres were worn down to their metal rims.
He ditched the car in a supermarket car park, ran away and escaped on a train, but was arrested with a half a gram of ice on him while playing pokies at a Ringwood pub two days later.
White had been on bail for assault charges when arrested.
"Your offending was nothing short of outrageous," Judge Gabriele Cannon told White.
"It was protracted and had the very real potential to kill other people who were simply going about their business.
"You behaved in a terrifying manner, in a stolen car."
Judge Cannon said while his guilty plea demonstrated remorse, it was time for him to turn his life around.
"You still have a degree of youthfulness, although the sun is setting on that aspect," she said.
"I accept you are sorry and that you are developing some insight into the seriousness of your offending, (but) you have a good way to go."
White was disqualified from driving for two years and sentenced to a total of three years and two months in jail.
But he will be eligible parole for parole in about six months having already served one year on remand.
