A South Australian man accused of breaking into a Ballarat East home to steal a car has been considered a flight risk and remains in custody.
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Adrian Tree, 26, made an application for bail in the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Wednesday after he was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of a car worth $3000.
Police allege on April 15 at 1.15am, the accused man entered a Ballarat East house through an unlocked laundry door, before finding a set of car keys to a Toyota Corolla.
Police informant Senior Constable Scott Howard said Tree allegedly took a bottle of bourbon, Samsung tablet, and wallet with credits cards.
He said five minutes after the accused left, she woke and spoke to other members of her family who had heard noises.
The police informant said at 2.25am, after the victim had posted a message on social media her car had been stolen, friends saw the stolen car at the Zagame's car park.
Senior Constable Howard said police were called to APCO service station on Main Road in relation to a suspicious person loitering.
He said Tree was arrested and taken to the Ballarat Police Station for interview.
"Our concern in relation to the accused getting bail are him being a flight risk, having connections in South Australia. We also believe he is an unacceptable risk of committing further offences," Senior Constable Howard said.
Defence barrister Annie Yuan said her client denied he stole the car, claiming a friend lent it to him. She said Tree's brother had recently died, he was young, had stable accommodation and was suitable for the Court Integrated Services Program.
Magistrate Gregory Robinson said, taking all matters into account, he believed compelling reasons for him to be bailed had not been shown.
He said Tree was an unacceptable flight risk and refused bail. Tree, who became a father on Tuesday, will reappear in court at a later date.
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