Man faces firearm charges
A YOUNG Newcomb man has faced court after being arrested for allegedly firing a gun in a residential area of Geelong.
Maverick Woodcock, 21, is accused of shooting from a 22calibre rifle in an alleged incident at a property in Newcomb last week.
Geelong Magistrates Court has been told the shot was fired in an area that was surrounded by houses.
Mr Woodcock appeared in custody on Friday to seek bail following his arrest earlier this week. He is charged with a string of offences including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, prohibited person possess firearm and resist arrest.
Court documents reveal Mr Woodcock was already on four counts of bail when it is alleged he committed the shooting on December 21.
He is accused of walking on to a Portarlington Rd property with a rifle and shooting at a metal downpipe, with the shot penetrating the pole and exiting out of the other side.
Police arrested Mr Woodcock on Wednesday afternoon when it is alleged he became aggressive and resisted being handcuffed.
A firearm was later recovered after Mr Woodcock had allegedly sold it.
Mr Woodcock is also facing unrelated charges including robbery, false imprisonment and making a false report to police.
Those offences stem from separate alleged incidents between December 2019 and November 2021.
Among the allegations is a claim that Mr Woodcock lied to police that his Ford Falcon was stolen in late November.
The car was found heavily damaged on a dirt track and resulted in Mr Woodcock’s father being paid more than $16,400 in insurance money, with most funds then transferred to the accused man.
According to police, videos and photographs were found on Mr Woodcock’s phone that showed the vehicle being damaged at the time it was supposed to have been stolen.
Mr Woodcock is also accused of committing a series of deceptions while employed at a Waurn Ponds retail store in October.
It is alleged he failed to scan items for associates who had attended the store, allowing the men to leave without paying for them. Police allege he also gave a refund to one of the men despite the person not returning anything.
Defence lawyer John Cattanach is urging the court to grant bail, arguing strict conditions could be imposed to reduce the risk his client may pose in the community.
Magistrate Franz Holzer said the allegations involved “serious offending” and that he had concerns about Mr Woodcock’s wellbeing.
The bail hearing will resume on Tuesday.