A Warrnambool man found hiding in a fridge after allegedly stealing a $17,000 motorcycle and ransacking a Mailors Flat home has been remanded in custody.
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Jayden McKenna, 26, made an unsuccessful bail application in Warrnambool Magistrates Court. He is charged with burglary, theft, criminal damage and drug-related offences.
The court heard Mr McKenna had been actively avoiding police since May 1.
He was arrested on November 10 after police found him hiding in a fridge at his home.
Lawyer Ian Pugh said his client had received several threats while in custody and was fearful of his safety.
He said Mr McKenna was required to give evidence in a compulsory hearing against a man with a violent criminal history.
Mr McKenna was allegedly robbed of his drugs and money during an organised meeting at a public toilet in Garvoc on April 13.
He told the court he was “happy to open (his) mouth but not while in prison”.
Mr Pugh said his client was in protective custody but would be less at risk if released on bail.
He said Mr McKenna had strong family support and if released, would take part in the court integrated services program.
But Magistrate Franz Holzer said the accused had 25 pages of criminal history that were littered with serious offending and breaches of court orders.
Police allege Mr McKenna was involved in a burglary at a Mailors Flat-Koroit Road property in January.
The three-bedroom home and a number of large sheds were allegedly ransacked and a large amount of items were placed in a wheel barrow and left at the rear of the property to be collected at a later date.
On January 9 the offenders returned to the property about 11.20pm.
Police allege Mr McKenna was a passenger in a vehicle seen at the property at the time of the offending.
On April 30 he was forensically linked to a DNA trace swab taken from the wheel barrow used to convey the stolen goods.
Then on May 1 Mr McKenna was allegedly observed dumping a bag containing 515 grams of cannabis on the front doorstep of a Warrnambool property.
Police said they attempted to locate the accused, who jumped the rear fence of a Wilson Street property and stole a motorbike and helmet valued at $17,000.
On May 23 the bike was recovered at the intersection of Dennington’s Russel Street and Warrnambool’s Raglan Parade.
McKenna is also facing charges of breaching an family violence intervention order.
