Burglar left behind evidence in thefts

A FORGETFUL and prolific Geelong burglar left his wallet at the scene of one of his crimes, and then his credit card, mobile phone and blood at other robberies, a court has heard.

On one occasion it is alleged Billy Guest left a mobile phone in an abandoned getaway car that was found by police still running outside a burgled business.

As the officers compiled their evidence, the phone rang, with the female caller asking to speak to “Billy” before hanging up when told it was police on the other end of the line.

Guest, 25, faces about 30 charges for a string of offences committed between December 30 last year and May this year, including smash-and-grab burglaries on businesses and dangerous driving.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court was told yesterday police twice had to abandon pursuits because of the man’s reckless driving.

The businesses he is alleged to have burgled include Belmont’s The Cheesecake Shop, car parts operations in Bell Park and South Geelong, and Freestyle Clothing in Geelong West.

The court was told he stole more than 3000 pairs of pants from the latter business, all of which still had the shop’s tags in them when he was caught the next day.

On most occasions the crimes were committed in view of security cameras, with Guest often wearing distinctive clothing, the court heard.

His lawyer, Nicholas Hanos, said his client committed his crimes because of an ice addiction.

He said the defendant’s previous partner — mother of their five-year-old daughter — had been a “bad influence” on him, but “his new girlfriend is very antidrugs, anti-crime”.

The defendant yesterday sought a sentence indication for his alleged offending.

Magistrate John Lesser will deliver that indication in August 17.