Joseph Haebich, 23, allegedly posed for photos with the stolen gun on November 19 – six days after he was released on bail for an alleged hit-and-run incident and two high-speed police pursuits.

Haebich – charged with theft of a firearm and possessing methamphetamine and cannabis – was forcibly restrained by two police officers at the Ballarat Magistrates Court after magistrate Andrew Capell refused bail.

“He doesn’t come within a cooee of showing cause,” Mr Capell said.

Opposing the bail application, police informant Senior Constable Jaime Gillard told the court Haebich, along with a co-accused, allegedly stole a gun safe from an Enfield property mid-morning on November 19.

The court heard the pair then travelled to an abandoned address in Grant Street, Ballarat, before Haebich allegedly fired a shot from the rifle into a wrecked car in the backyard.

Haebich and the co-accused were captured on CCTV at the McDonald’s restaurant at Sebastopol later that day.

Senior Constable Gillard told the court the co-accused was arrested outside the Miners Rest Primary School, where alleged photos of Haebich posing with the gun were found on a phone.

The court heard Haebich was arrested at a house in Lonsdale Street, Redan, on November 19 and didn’t assist police in locating the missing rifle.

Senior Constable Gillard was concerned a gun, used to shoot “hogs and boars”, was at large in the community.

“His (Haebich’s) offending has escalated since he was bailed,” she said.

Defence lawyer Russell Kelly said his client, with the help of a credit bail support program, could be deemed an acceptable risk if released on bail.

Mr Capell said the alleged photos and the CCTV footage of the accused made for a strong prosecution case.

“His prior history is littered with orders that gave him an opportunity ... he’s too serious a risk,” he said.

Haebich was bailed on November 13 after being charged with more than 20 offences, including burglary, theft and two counts of evading police.