A man accused of numerous burglaries, thefts and driving offences, including break-ins at three cricket clubs, has appeared in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court.
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Blake Flower appeared in the court via video link yesterday, charged in relation to alleged offences in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Guildford and Barkers Creek.
In a summary read by the police prosecutor, the court heard Mr Flower was allegedly involved in the theft of a car from a Quarry Hill address on October 1, 2016, during which a man was confronted by two males.
Three days later, Mr Flower allegedly stole goods from a Kangaroo Flat service station and left in a vehicle with registration resembling that of the stolen vehicle.
The stolen car was found dumped in Flora Hill on October 6 and it was alleged Mr Flower’s belongings and fingerprints were found in it.
On October 13 last year, Mr Flower was intercepted on McIvor Highway.
He allegedly had no licence and refused to accompany police for a further test after an oral fluids test detected the presence of illicit drugs in his system.
Police alleged Mr Flower was also found trying to fit a wheel to a vehicle in North Bendigo on November 21, 2017. The wheel was stolen earlier that morning, the court heard, and the vehicle bore different number plates.
Mr Flower’s defence counsel Tass Antos indicated his client would plead guilty to those matters, but others were in dispute.
Police alleged Mr Flower was involved with co-accused in a burglary at the Wesley Hill Cricket Club on November 6 last year, during which alcohol, confectionery, a television and a bin were stolen.
The prosecutor said Mr Flower allegedly committed another burglary at the Barkers Creek Cricket Club that same day and stole alcohol, an esky and cricket balls.
Mr Flower was accused of stealing a vehicle from a Harcourt property and driving it on Sutton Grange Road at an estimated 150 km/h, failing to stop for police.
Police alleged he also stole items worth about $500 from Woolworths at Epsom that same day.
Mr Flower was also accused of breaking into the Guildford Cricket Club between November 16 and 17 last year and stealing alcohol, sports drinks, a stubby holder and a cricket bat.
The police prosecutor told the court forensic evidence, CCTV, physical evidence, phone records and Mr Flower’s co-accused implicated him, but police relied on circumstantial evidence for the the theft of the motor vehicle at Harcourt and the associated driving offences.
Mr Antos had sought a sentence indication from the court, but was limited by time. Mr Flower will return to Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on November 6.
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