Police arrested a man this week who they accuse of ramming a police vehicle and being in possession of stolen items.
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Gervaise Tomasini appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he applied for bail.
The court heard Mr Tomasini was arrested the day before following a raid at a home at Langley, north of Kyneton, where police discovered items that had been stolen in a burglary.
Senior Constable Matt Trist said other occupants told police Mr Tomasini had brought the items to the address.
The court heard Mr Tomasini also allegedly rammed a police vehicle at New Gisborne last month.
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Police were called to reports of a suspicious vehicle.
Officers in a divisional van found a vehicle, allegedly driven by Mr Tomasini, and followed it to a vacant block, where they tried to obstruct its exit.
It was alleged Mr Tomasini drove into the divisional van, before deliberately ramming it.
Earlier this month, the court heard, investigators found the vehicle involved and discovered damage consistent with the ramming of the divisional van.
Mr Tomasini is also accused of involvement in a burglary last month in which property worth about $18,000 was stolen.
Senior Constable Trist said witnesses described seeing that vehicle and someone matching Mr Tomasini's appearance at the scene of the burglary.
Earlier this month, he said, a unit linked to Mr Tomasini was searched and items taken in this burglary were found there.
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Police opposed Mr Tomasini's bail application this week.
"I believe the accused is an unacceptable risk as he's rammed a police vehicle to avoid apprehension," Senior Constable Trist told the court.
Mr Tomasini asked the officer what evidence police had that he was the driver of the car that rammed the police van.
Senior Constable Trist said the officers in the van had identified him by sight.
Mr Tomasini submitted he faced an excessive length of time before the matter was resolved, and there were concerns around the COVID-19 situation.
He said the court he was drug-free for the longest period of time in a long while and was "doing quite well".
He also said his partner depended on him, and there was work available to him.
But magistrate Rodney Higgins found Mr Tomasini had not met the threshold of showing exceptional circumstances that warranted his release on bail.
Mr Tomasini was remanded in custody to appear at court again in October.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
