No bail for wanted man caught sleeping in car at Baranduda

Anthony Velluto, 36, was wanted by police after he was suspected of being involved in a Melbourne factory allegedly dealing in stolen cars.

Police say he was allegedly captured on CCTV footage throwing a small dog out of a window located on the top floor of the Keilor East factory on the night of November 11 last year, before leaving through the same window.

Two months later he was spotted on the Border.

Velluto was found sleeping in a still-running white Mitsubishi Lancer parked on Wodonga-Yackandandah Road in Baranduda at about 10.15am on January 20.

The car allegedly had both Victorian and NSW number plates, plus three number plates were located in the boot - the Lancer and number plates found in and on the car were reported stolen.

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Police also alleged they found a clear plastic tub containing about 20ml of GHB and a packet of prescription medication called Amoxicillin, which was in the name of another woman. Velluto was on bail at the time.

His solicitor argued in the Supreme Court that a contested hearing in the case would not proceed until at least October.

Supreme Court Justice Andrew Tinney said he took into account the argument that "the present nature of incarceration is onerous and oppressive, with the cessation of prison visits, the introduction of quarantine protocols, restrictions on movements within the prison".

But he said if Velluto was found guilty, it was likely any jail sentence would be more than he has already spent on remand.

"The applicant has a prior conviction for failing to answer bail and was located on 20 January 2020 close to the NSW border whilst subject to an undertaking of bail," Justice Tinney said.

"The respondent (prosecutor) holds concerns that on that date the applicant may have been attempting to abscond interstate."