Alleged burglar denied bail after Bendigo air wing search

Martin Prouse, 45, made the application in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He has been charged with 11 offences, including burglary, theft, and damaging property.

Police alleged Mr Prouse went to a Strathdale plumbing business on the evening of January 15 this year.

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The court heard Mr Prouse allegedly smashed a toilet window to gain entry, causing damage worth about $2000.

There was also black gaffer tape stuck near the window, which allegedly had Mr Prouse's fingerprints on it.

It was alleged Mr Prouse removed cables from internet lines and CCTV cameras.

He was also accused of smashing a lock on the business' safe and stealing $17,400 in cash.

The court heard there was CCTV footage of a white Jeep Cherokee driving to and from the Strathdale business.

Mr Prouse's mother is the registered owner of a white Jeep.

Police alleged Mr Prouse then forced his way into a farm supplies store in Quarry Hill on January 22.

The court heard Mr Prouse allegedly smashed an alarm and removed cables connected to the internet and a CCTV camera.

Police said there was nothing identified as stolen, but CCTV footage allegedly showed Mr Prouse and a co-accused at the site.

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The court heard Mr Prouse then allegedly forced his way into the Bendigo Pottery site the next day.

It was alleged he removed telephone and internet cables, smashed a security system, and stole a mobile phone.

The court heard then on January 31, Mr Prouse allegedly broke into a Golden Square paint factory.

Police alleged he cut cables to the internet and CCTV cameras, and then stole three sanders, a $1500 laptop, and collectable $1 and $2 coins worth $300.

The court heard police went to execute a search warrant at Mr Prouse's address on February 1, but he fled the scene.

The police air wing and canine divisions were involved in the search to find Mr Prouse. He was eventually located in a chicken shed and arrested.

The court heard police seized six collectable coins from Mr Prouse's address.

Mr Prouse was on a community corrections order at the time of the alleged offending.

Senior Constable Jordan Norris told the court Mr Prouse had prior burglary convictions, including from the County Court in 2020.

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The police officer said Mr Prouse allegedly used the same method of operation in the burglaries, through damaging phone and internet lines, and disabling alarms.

Senior Constable Norris alleged Mr Prouse had previously targeted the same businesses.

He said police were concerned Mr Prouse would commit further offences if released on bail.

Defence lawyer Josh Cameron told the court there was no clear evidence tying Mr Prouse to the burglaries, besides grainy CCTV footage and one fingerprint on the black gaffer tape.

Mr Cameron said the prosecution's case was "very arguable" and the charges would be contested.

The defence lawyer told the court Mr Prouse should be released on bail due to the lengthy delay in the courts.

Mr Cameron said his client also had stable accommodation with his mother and support through a community corrections order.

But Magistrate Rodney Higgins opposed the application, saying Mr Prouse failed to show compelling reasons.

Mr Prouse was remanded in custody. He is due to return to the Bendigo Magistrates' Court next month.

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