A 21-year-old man accused of stealing more than $60,000 worth of goods while on bail has been released from custody.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sean McNamara, of Rokewood-Skipton Road, Pitfield, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday where he made a bail application.
Lawyer Jack Rabl said Mr McNamara was a young, vulnerable person that had no criminal history.
He said the police investigation was only at a preliminary stage and there were "real prospects" of his client being remanded in custody for longer than he would be sentenced to.
Magistrate Jelena Popovic said the alleged offending was serious but she was not satisfied that the prosecution case was strong.
Mr McNamara was granted bail, with conditions he not associate with the co-accused, abide by a 10pm to 6am curfew and comply with the court integrated services program.
Detective Senior Constable Craig Wastell, of the Warrnambool police Crime Investigation Unit, said at the end of March and during April there were a number of thefts from properties in Werneth, Jancourt East, Simpson and Scotts Creek.
He said offenders stole $60,714 worth of goods, including six quad bikes, tools, fishing rods and a voltage tester.
He said a search warrant executed at Mr McNamara's Pitfield property on April 22 located two quad bikes, one with registration plates linked to the Jancourt East address, as well as a fishing road also believed to be stolen from that property.
Detective Senior Constable Wastell said a 17-year-old male co-accused had been charged with similar offences. That person cannot be named for legal reasons. He was remanded in custody on Friday and will appear in court again on May 3.
The court heard police had analysed the co-accused's mobile phone, which placed him at the locations of the burglaries and then at Mr McNamara' Pitfield property.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Kevin Mullins said police believed those movements also reflected the offending of Mr McNamara. He said a comprehensive analysis would also be conducted on the accused's mobile phone.
At the time of the alleged offending, Mr McNamara was on bail for offences relating to rural burglaries and thefts of tools, including chainsaws, battery charges and air compressors.
Detective Senior Constable Wastell said most of those offences occurred at CFA stations.
Mr McNamara will appear in court again on June 11.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.