$130,000 cleanout

Contractor faces court over burglary, theft charges

A CLEANER who used his contract access to Geelong businesses to steal $130,000 in property and cash has faced court on 60 charges relating to burglary and theft.

Marko Peselj, 41, of Reedy Lakes Rd, Leopold, appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday after a major police investigation into a rise in commercial and residential burglaries and thefts in the Geelong region.

Senior Constable Shane Johnson said it became clear Mr Paselj was the common denominator in all the burglaries through his cleaning contracts with Hamilton Hill Cleaning Services.

Sen-Constable Johnson said Mr Peselj was the regular cleaner at each site, had access to each building with keys and swipe cards and could come and go as he pleased without setting off alarms.

‘‘He also knew where video surveillance was located and was the last person to leave each of the buildings when they were burgled,’’ he said.

The officer said that, on February 5, Mr Peselj committed a burglary at Geelong Yacht Club, obtained the master key from the office and stole $3000 from the safe.

He said two other burglaries were committed at the club on April 22, when seven laptops were stolen, and on September 22, when power tools were stolen from a locker.

Sen-Constable Johnson said that on February 3, Mr Peselj burgled Leopold Sportsmans Club and stole $2500 cash.

‘‘No alarm was activated, but outside CCTV showed a male, believed to be the ac- cused, leaving and walking along a wall,’’ he said. ‘‘The accused has an old injury to his left shoulder, which causes him to carry his left hand in a distinctive way.

‘‘We believe this is the same man pictured in the video surveillance.

‘ ‘ On July 23, Leopold Sportsman’s Club was again burgled with damage done to the main door to make it look like a break-in.

‘ ‘ During that burglary $22,000 was stolen from the club and the same man with the same distinctive injury to his left arm was captured on CCTV footage leaving the building.’’

Sen-Constable Johnson said another break-in involved a burglary on Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Newtown, where electrical items were stolen.

‘‘ Inquiries revealed the alarm had been turned off,’’ he said.

‘‘Again damage was caused to give the impression of a break-in.’’

A bail application, before Magistrate Ian von Einem, will continue today.