THE defence lawyer of a man who was charged with stealing cars and chainsaws in Bendigo says evidence allegedly linking him to the crimes was only "circumstantial".
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Jordan Smith, 22, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court earlier this week after he was charged with burglary and theft offences.
Police alleged on June 27 last year, Mr Smith went on a crime spree around the Bendigo area.
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Mr Smith allegedly stole a car from a caravan park in Eppalock before stealing a chainsaw from a nearby shed.
Police alleged Mr Smith then rammed an electronic gate at an Eppalock property, before stealing another chainsaw from a Strathfieldsaye home.
The court heard Mr Smith allegedly drove the stolen vehicle to a California Gully address where he entered a second stolen car, transferred the stolen items into that vehicle, and then left the scene.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Martin Friend told the court Mr Smith's fingerprints were allegedly found on the bonnet of the first stolen car and on the window of the Eppalock shed.
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Senior Constable Friend said there was also CCTV footage allegedly linking Mr Smith to the Eppalock caravan park.
Mr Smith's defence lawyer Alexandra McLure conceded the crimes occurred, but told the court Mr Smith denied the offending.
Ms McLure said there was no date on the fingerprints so that evidence alone could not establish Mr Smith was at the scene of the alleged crimes or was complicit with another offender.
The defence lawyer said the prosecution's case was "circumstantial".
The matters were adjourned for a contest hearing in September. Mr Smith was remanded in custody.
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