Members of the Wodonga family known as the t-shirt bandits spent Thursday night in custody after police made arrests over a series of burglaries on Border businesses.
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Detectives alleged 22-year-old Jack McLean was the gang’s ringleader.
The alleged thief was brought before Wodonga Magistrates’ Court along with brother Tom McLean, 21, mother Louise McLellan, 45, and girlfriend Mikaila Garner, 19.
Jack and Tom McLean and twin 15-year-old boys were charged with 43 offences each.
Charges included the burglary and theft of more than 30 Border businesses, aggravated burglary, theft of motor car, theft from motor car and arson.
All four were remanded in custody until Tuesday.
Louise McLellan, 45 – charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice – appeared dejected in the dock at court.
She did not apply for bail.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Wayne Taylor said police were not likely to oppose bail if McLellan and Garner applied on Friday.
“We’re guarded with what we can say,” he said.
Solicitor Mario Vaccaro said McLellan was distressed by her first time in custody, but had no medical issues.
“My client has very little history, she's a worker, she's a mother,” he said.
Garner was charged with two counts each of burglary and theft and five driving offences.
Solicitor Sally Wilson said Garner needed to be seen by health officers in the police cells.
The case was adjourned for a committal mention in February.
Magistrate John O’Callaghan said the women could have a case to be released on bail on Friday, especially if any police forensics issues were likely to delay the case.
He said the accused would not be kept in custody for long periods of time while police completed investigations.
“Worst comes to worse, she can make an application to the Supreme Court and see what happens,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
