A MAN alleged to be behind rural property burglaries will fight criminal charges in a contested hearing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Adam Haliday Greer, 35, of Crawley Street, Warrnambool appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court for a contest mention hearing on Tuesday.
Police alleged that on July 26 Mr Greer and two co-accused went to a property on the Koroit-Woolsthorpe Road in a RAV4 vehicle.
They tried and failed to start a two-wheel motorbike but managed to start a Suzuki quad bike valued at $3000 and it was ridden to Grassmere.
There was then another burglary at a property on the Grassmere-Hexham Road that day and two chainsaws, fuel containers and other items were stolen.
Police executed a warrant at a Grassmere property two months later and found three chainsaws, including one from the Grassmere-Hexham Road break-in.
Two other chainsaw which had been stolen in the Koroit district were also recovered.
The two co-accused have been statements to police.
One said he was involved in the burglaries under duress after being threatened by Mr Greer.
The quad bike and fencing equipment have not been recovered.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kevin Mullins said Mr Greer had prior court appearances and was last fined $1200 for deception.
Magistrate Ron Saines warned solicitor Belinda Northey her client was in jeopardy of being jailed if he contested the charges and they were found proven.
He said every farm owner despised burglaries and thefts in rural areas and if proven the offending would be seen as premeditated.
Ms Northey said her client maintained he was not involved, he had been in Warrnambool and his RAV4 vehicle was not running at the time of the offending.
The case has been adjourned for a contested hearing on November 17.