Detective Senior Constable Joe Fisher, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said the 31-year-old was arrested on Thursday, interviewed, charged with burglary and theft and remanded in custody overnight.

He said the Beachside Tennis Academy was conducting lessons at the Pertobe Road lawn tennis courts on Tuesday at 8.30pm.

Police alleged the offender entered the pro shop and took the cash register containing $400 in cash.

"He's entered the pro shop and removed the cash register. It was an opportunistic theft committed while tennis lessons were being conducted," Detective Senior Constable Fisher said.

"The offending was caught on security camera footage and we were able to identify and arrest him."

The man is understood to currently be on a court-imposed community corrections order after previously appearing in court on drug offences.

Lawyer Morgan Adams appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday to represent the accused, who refused to attend the court.

He indicated his client intended to plead guilty to the offending.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie said he understood the man had been "a bit naughty" in the police station cells.

The man was remanded in custody until August 26.

Custody management issues included the man suffering mental health issues and withdrawals from drugs of dependence.

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