Man accused of Bendigo thefts, burglaries granted bail

Jayden Pearce, 29, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Friday after he was charged with offences including burglary and theft.

The court heard sometime between December 31, 2020, and January 1 this year, Mr Pearce allegedly broke into a property on Upper California Gully Road in California Gully.

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Police alleged he stole three watches from a bedroom, which were valued at a total of $1300.

Mr Pearce also allegedly stole four wallets that contained various cards including an expired driver's licence.

The court heard Mr Pearce then allegedly went to a property in Thunder Street in North Bendigo.

Police alleged he broke in through a bathroom window and stole a $1300 computer and a mountain bike.

The two victims contacted police after they returned home on January 1 to find their items stolen.

Detectives attended the two properties and allegedly found Mr Pearce's fingerprints around the houses.

The court heard sometime between January 5 and January 6, Mr Pearce allegedly broke into a black Renault parked on Nelson Street in California Gully.

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Police alleged he stole a backpack, which contained keys to an Isuzu and other items.

Mr Pearce then allegedly broke into an Eaglehawk property where he stole antique sewing equipment and a cordless drill.

The two victims notified police about the thefts on January 6. Detectives again allegedly found Mr Pearce's fingerprints at the two crime scenes.

Mr Pearce was also charged with stealing a wallet from a car in Stanhope on November 23 last year.

He allegedly used a bank card from that wallet to make a $1000 withdrawal in Rochester.

Mr Pearce's defence lawyer Brett Barratt told the court his client had a long-term issue with drug use, which was linked to his offending.

Mr Barratt said Mr Pearce had been accepted into the residential rehabilitation facility, Odyssey House.

The defence lawyer said it was the first time Mr Pearce had been offered such an opportunity, which could provide the drug treatment he needs and reduce his risk of reoffending.

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Prosecutor First Constable Matthew Hendry conceded the program would alleviate some of the prosecution's concerns.

But he said Mr Pearce needed to understand that it was a "one shot deal" and that he would be back in custody if he breached the program.

Magistrate Megan Aumair agreed that this was an important opportunity for Mr Pearce.

Ms Aumair said she was satisfied the risk of his reoffending and breaching bail could be reduced if he attended the rehabilitation facility.

"This is a line in the sand moment for you," she said.

Ms Aumair released Mr Pearce on bail so he could reside at Odyssey House. He is due to return to court at a later date.

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