Robert Theodore Kleinsman, 55, applied for bail arguing he met exceptional circumstances at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ben Jones said police opposed bail because Kleinsman was an unacceptable risk of endangering the public, committing offences while on bail and failing to appear on bail.

Police informant Senior Constable Scott Howard told the court Kleinsman and two co-accused parked nose to nose with his ex-partner's car that was on the side of the road.

The court heard Kleinsman and his ex-partner were currently in a dispute about money.

It is alleged a co-accused smashed the complainant's car window with a bolt cutter, demanded she give up her phone and keys and punched her in the nose.

Senior Constable Howard said the complainant ran away and turned around to take photos of the scene when she saw Kleinsman and the co-accused get into her car and drive away.

"No bail conditions would alleviate police concerns," he said.

"He is a risk to the community with the nature of the offending... It is known he hangs around with people who have a long history of violence."

Representing himself from the dock, Kleinsman said he had purchased the car for his ex-partner and he disputed the truth of her statement to police.

Police have not yet recovered the bolt cutters and the stolen vehicle and rely on the complainant's statement and her photos of the scene as evidence.

The court heard the complainant in custody on remand.

Kleinsman argued he met exceptional circumstances for bail because his mother had been released from hospital and was dying, he has returned to full-time work as a truck driver and was avoiding old friends he used to associate with.

Magistrate Letizia Torres said exceptional circumstances were met and risks could be managed with bail conditions.

"Kleinsman is disputing the charges and the prosecution case needs to be proved. There is little evidence and he has a right to defend himself," she said.

"I am also noting the fact the victim herself is in jail and that between November and December they were both in the community and there was no suggestion of issues during this time.

"There is support and monitoring available to him available through an existing community corrections order and there is no history of violence in his criminal history."

Kleinsman was bailed with conditions he reside at his parent's property in Arthurs Creek, report to police one day a week, not contact any witnesses for the prosecution and not to associate with the co-accused.

He will return to court on April 2 for a committal mention.