A Benalla man has admitted to his role in a home burglary of a couple’s ute after several warrants were issued for his arrest for avoiding authorities and the courts.
The 25-year-old appeared from the custody box at Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court this week seeking bail, after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary of a car and assault.
The court heard in the early hours of 1 May last year, the man, who was living in Wangaratta at the time, broke into an elderly couple’s Benalla home as they were sleeping, took the keys of their white Isuzu utility and drove off in it.
It is alleged there were three other co-accused during the offending and the 25-year-old was unlicenced at the time of driving.
The accused drove to Wangaratta and the car was found by police at Bunnings Warehouse around 8am with four occupants.
Latest Stories
Detectives went to search a property frequented by the accused in Wangaratta at 12:30pm, finding the stolen utility affixed with stolen number plates.
Three of the accused would attempt to flee, jumping the fence at the back of the property.
A fourth alleged co-offender was arrested inside the address.
The 25-year-old would later be charged with the offending on 3 July last year after a search of his home.
He also pleaded guilty to assault of his neighbour, an elderly woman, hitting her in the head with a piece of plywood.
The court heard the man had been in and out of custody numerous times since the offending due to several warrants being issued for his non-appearances in court.
Giving evidence, Senior Constable Eli Holland-Dean said the 25-year-old actively avoided police on multiple arrests, giving a false name on one occasion and attempting to hide in a pile of clothes on another.
“The accused has shown a complete disregard to conditions while on bail,” Sen Const Holland-Dean said.
The man was arrested on Saturday on Cowan Street in Benalla.
The court heard the 25-year-old was a daily user of cannabis and took methylamphetamine regularly.
Magistrate Megan Casey remanded the man in custody for a community corrections order assessment to be completed before re-appearing at court on Friday.
