A PORTLAND man accused of robbing a Domino’s pizza parlour with a machete has been committed to stand trial.
Robert James Balcke, 33, of Blackwood Court, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday.
Four witnesses appeared in court after warrants were issued by magistrate Jonathan Klestadt last week.
Mr Balcke was charged with armed robbery and making a threat to kill at a pizza shop about 2pm on January 31. He pleaded not guilty and was committed to stand trial in Geelong County Court.
Prosecution witness, Victor Eric Hill, was asked by defence counsel John Perry what he meant in his police statement where it said Mr Balcke said he had just done Dominos and got $120.
Mr Hill said he was only going on what Mr Balcke had told him. Mr Perry asked if there had been any clarification or discussion on what he meant by that and Mr Hill said ‘no’. Mr Perry then asked prosecution witness Noel Cooper if he stood by his police statement and Mr Cooper said he had to because he had signed it.
Mr Perry said the prosecution witnesses were reluctant and unsatisfactory.
Police previously alleged that staff at Portland’s Domino’s pizza parlour were threatened with a machete during an armed robbery at the Percy Street outlet.
Police claim Mr Balcke was holding the weapon and ordered staff to hand over the store’s cash.
He was then alleged to have fled on a motorcycle with $175. No one was injured. Mr Balcke applied for bail which was opposed by the prosecution. Mr Balcke will appear in court on November 23.