AN Echuca man who allegedly shoplifted thousands of dollars worth of goods to trade in for heroin and ice has been denied bail.
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Matthew Gruber, 39, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Monday on multiple charges relating to the thefts from retail stores in Echuca and Kyabram.
His shoplifting spree took place over a number of days in June while he was on bail for other offences.
Senior Constable Steven Taylor, of Echuca Police, told the court Gruber stole a $5000 printer from IGA in Kyabram on June 30.
The printer was only usable for staff at the supermarket.
The court heard Gruber also shoplifted multiple times from Dan Murphy’s in Echuca, stealing liquor valued at $170 on two occasions.
He allegedly stole a number of bed sheets from Target Kyabram and made thefts from Autopro Kyabram.
Senior Constable Taylor said Gruber also shoplifted from the Reject Shop in Echuca.
Gruber had repeatedly breached his bail conditions by not being present at his address during his curfew.
CCTV footage and witness statements were tendered to court as evidence of the thefts.
Gruber admitted to police that he used the items to trade for drugs with a dealer in Echuca.
Senior Constable Taylor said Gruber told officers “I’ll be back here again, I’m pretty sure” while he was being escorted to the Echuca Police Station.
Police opposed bail because of Gruber’s breaches of bail conditions and his admission that he was likely to re-offend should he be released.
Gruber represented himself in court where he admitted to being a heroin addict, but said he only shoplifted to support another person’s ice habit, repeatedly saying they were “out of control”.
He said he was prepared when police came to arrest him.
“I had my bags packed ready for jail again,” Gruber said.
Magistrate Bruce Cottrill said Gruber had demonstrated a “substantial amount of dishonesty”.
“You’ve made various admissions to offending, and clearly remain a risk of further offending,” he said.
“There’s an unacceptable risk to the community.”
Gruber will re-appear in the Echuca Magistrates’ Court on July 28.