A Dennington man found guilty of an $18,000 burglary has hurled abuse at police officers outside a Warrnambool court.
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Michael Debono, 51, of Tylden Street, was found guilty of burglary and theft in Warrnambool Magistrates Court following a two-day contested hearing.
The charges related to the theft of a 100 kilogram safe, $17,000 cash, a wedding ring, ammunition and numerous documents from Warrnambool's King Cole Fruit Supply on December 28, 2016.
Debono is currently on bail and will be sentenced on April 11.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie said she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Debono had committed the burglary and theft.
She said entry was gained to the premises by cutting a hole in a wire fence, and that CCTV cameras had been turned off.
She said Debono's son worked at King Cole Fruit Supply and was the son-in-law of the owners.
Ms McGarvie said Debono was observed scoping out the business in the days before the burglary and his DNA was located on plastic bags found inside the safe, which was found dumped in Warrnambool's Merri river in January, 2017.
The safe was covered in towels and rope and, due to its weight, required a tow truck to be removed.
The victim's passports, as well as numerous important documents, had been wrapped in plastic bags and placed inside the safe.
The cash, wedding ring and ammunition were never recovered.
Ms McGarvie said a search warrant executed at Debono's home on March 28 revealed he was using a mobile phone registered to a fake name and address.
She said in the lead up to the burglary the phone was used to call the owner of a white utility used in the burglary.
That vehicle was observed by police parked outside Debono's home on March 1.
No charges have been laid against the owner of the vehicle.
Following the guilty verdict, Debono left the court and began yelling abuse at a number of police officers.
Warrnambool police Senior Sergeant Chris Asenjo said the man's behaviour was "untidy".
"This is simply someone grandstanding because the court verdict didn't go their way. It is unacceptable behaviour," he said.
"At the end of the day the court's decision is the court's decision and screaming abuse is not the answer."
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