Aaron Burzacott, 39, and his co-accused Christopher Llewellyn, 33, allegedly robbed a man of his utility, which was filled with work tools, and his mobile phone.

Magistrate Jelena Popovic found there was enough evidence against the pair to proceed to a trial following a one-day committal hearing held yesterday.

More news: Investment boom worth $1bn to Bendigo economy

Charges against the men allege that they were parked on the side of Baringhup Road in Carisbrook about 5.30pm on March 1, 2021.

The court heard the victim was driving past in his work vehicle at the time and was giving a lift to an acquaintance. The passenger indicated he should do a u-turn and pull over to the roadside where two men were already parked in a silver Holden wagon.

Mr Llewellyn was allegedly standing outside of the vehicle, while Mr Burzacott was seated inside.

The acquaintance inside the victim's utility allegedly said the two men were the people she had been trying to meet up with and that she had been communicating with them via mobile phone text messages.

The court heard the charges against Mr Llewellyn allege that when the victim pulled over he reached inside the victim's ute and removed the key from the ignition.

The man was effectively detained at the roadside because he could not drive away.

The victim got out of his car to make inquiries about what was going on.

The charges allege that Mr Burzacott then got out of his vehicle with a sawn-off shotgun.

The court heard that the victim felt threatened.

The men had a conversation about the possibility of the man electronically transferring money from his bank account into somebody else's account. It is alleged that he opened his internet banking and showed a nil balance.

Mr Burzacott and Mr Llewellyn allegedly indicated to the victim that he should get into their vehicle and leave with them.

More news: COVID-19 threat sees Australia Day events cancelled across Bendigo region

The court heard the victim instead ran from the scene, eventually knocking on the front door of an elderly couple. He asked to borrow their phone and called police.

The victim's ute was later found in bushland in Huntly

Magistrate Popovic adjourned the case for a directions hearing at the Victorian County Court on March 8.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: