Teenager on bail during alleged break-ins

A TEENAGER was on bail when he allegedly broke into three homes in five days in the same Geelong suburb.

People were asleep inside two of the properties at Bell Post Hill when it is claimed the 15-year-old boy and associates crept in on separate occasions during the middle of the night.

A children’s court heard that keys taken from the homes were used to steal cars parked outside, while watches and jewellery were pinched from a third home targeted.

The boy appeared in custody yesterday facing charges including multiple counts of aggravated burglary and car theft.

The three break-ins occurred between September 9 and 14 — less than a month after the boy was granted bail on similar charges, including burglary, theft and handling stolen goods.

The teen was refused bail yesterday after a magistrate cited concerns that he would commit more offences and pose a risk to the public.

A police prosecutor said the first incident happened at a home on Ernest St, where entry was gained to the property through a side door while a resident was asleep.

A wallet and a set of car keys were taken from the home, before the two offenders drove off with a Hyundai sedan parked in the driveway.

Three days later, the teenager was allegedly among a group of four youths who broke into a home on nearby Liston St as multiple people were asleep inside.

The victims were woken to the sound of their Hilux being stolen, with the vehicle later abandoned after crashing into a parked car in Bell Park.

The boy was eventually arrested after another burglary on Saturday afternoon, when a window was smashed at a Rosemont Cres home before tools, watches and jewellery were stolen.

It is alleged he later made admissions to police that he had been stealing cars and driving around Bell Post Hill, while adding that there was no reason for his crimes.

When asked by an officer what he would do if confronted during a burglary, the teen allegedly replied: “Don’t know — probably f---ing stab them.”

Police strongly opposed bail being granted yesterday, with a prosecutor revealing the boy was already on strict conditions when he allegedly committed the break-ins.

A magistrate subsequently refused bail, despite acknowledging it was a “very difficult decision” given the boy’s age.

“I’m very concerned about the type of offences that are involved here,” he said.

The teen was remanded until September 25.