An alleged member of the t-shirt bandits has abandoned his bail application the day police loaded him with more charges.
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Detectives were ready at Wodonga Magistrate’s Court to strongly argue Tom McLean should be kept in custody to prevent any more burglaries on Border homes and businesses.
Police laid an extra burglary and two theft of firearms charges on Wednesday.
McLean now faces 46 charges, including aggravated burglary and arson.
The 21-year-old was one of nine people charged over more than 30 burglaries where offenders put t-shirts over their heads to conceal their identities.
He sat in the court dock with a straight face, wearing a black t-shirt, as solicitor Mario Vaccaro adjourned the bail application to December 14.
“I would like to come back before Christmas,” Mr Vaccaro said.
He said he needed more details of the police case against McLean.
Two 16-year-old boys connected to the t-shirt bandits gang were also refused in the Children’s Court this week.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer told the court McLean allegedly formed part of a “criminal enterprise agreement”.
One of burglaries was allegedly on a Black Street property where the group cut the lock to gain access.
“The offenders have targeted that property for firearms,” Detective Sergeant Simpfendorfer said.
“My concerns are the high risk of reoffending.”
My concerns are the high risk of reoffending
- Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer
McLean denied being a part of the burglaries when interviewed by police, but detectives claim they have “legally obtained evidence” of him confessing to one of the crimes.
His 22-year-old brother Jack was allegedly the t-shirt bandits’ leader.
Their mother, Louise McLellan, was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
A possible trial in the County Court could take 18 months to two years before it went ahead.
Fifteen firearms - including long-arm weapons, shotguns and rifles - were stolen during the alleged burglaries.
Most of the guns are yet to be located.
“Some of the premises have been targeted multiple times,” Detective Sergeant Simpfendorfer said.
“They’ve been burning out vehicles used in the offences.”
One car found burnt out in a park was captured on CCTV footage during one of the burglaries.
Police will rely on guns, clothing and stolen items seized during raids on the McLean’s Stott Court home and Tallangatta Valley family farm as evidence.
Tom McLean’s fingerprints were allegedly located on items connected to burglaries.
Police also found a bag containing methamphetamine in McLean’s bedroom when they raided his father’s Wodonga home.