Armed hold-up accused granted bail

Stephen Moore, of Bendigo, was charged with the armed hold-up of the RSL and an attempted armed hold-up of the Foundry Hotel on Tuesday evening.

Magistrate Jennifer Tregent granted him bail in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court with strict reporting conditions.

Co-accused Malaki Kirby, 28, of Bendigo, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody for his alleged involvement in the hold-ups.

The court heard Kirby allegedly borrowed a car at 1.30pm on Tuesday before collecting his cousin Moore.

At 7.23pm, the pair drove to the Foundry Hotel where Moore entered and allegedly approached a female cashier armed with a black steak knife, demanding cash.

The cashier pressed the duress alarm while repeatedly saying “what money?” while Moore allegedly threatened her.

He fled the hotel soon after without any cash. CCTV footage showed Moore wearing a red and black Honda jacket and with no disguise covering his face.

Kirby allegedly then drove Moore to the Bendigo District RSL at 7.30pm.

Moore entered and allegedly demanded cash, showing the female cashier a knife hidden in his sleeve.

The victim told police Moore said “don’t make me come around there and stab you”, before soon after saying “I’m so sorry love” while the cashier withdrew the cash.

He allegedly left the RSL with $500 cash.

Kirby drove the pair down Arnold Street before the car ran out of gas and they were picked up by relatives.

At 7.35pm Moore handed the keys of the car back to his neighbour and allegedly told him his car was fine and “don’t call the cops”.

Police arrested both Moore and Kirby the next day.

Moore told police he expected to be arrested and led them to the Atkins Street Oval where he dumped the Honda jacket and knife.

Senior Constable Gabriella Markovics, of the Armed Crime Squad, said Moore told police in an interview he spent the stolen money on alcohol and cannabis.

He told police he committed the alleged hold-ups “out of desperation”.

Kirby allegedly told police he drove Moore to the Foundry Hotel so his cousin could put some money on the pokies, before Moore returned to the car saying he would “have better luck at the RSL”.

At the RSL, Moore allegedly gave Kirby $200, saying he had won $500.

A relative of Moore offered an address for his bail, which Magistrate Jennifer Tregent granted.

She said he would only be eligible for detention in an adult environment, which could be unacceptable given his young age and lack of previous serious offending.

Youth detention was also unavailable.

Ms Tregent said she was confident Moore would adhere to bail conditions given his strong family connections to the area and he had been co-operative with police from the beginning.

“You’re still a young man and this is very serious offending,” she said.

“You better start thinking about what will happen with these matters.”

Moore must report daily to the Bendigo Police Station, cannot leave the house without his family member, can have no contact with witnesses or the co-accused and is barred from all licenced premises.

Moore and Kirby will re-appear at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on November 11.