Man charged with Lexton, Waubra post office burglaries faces court

Police allege 29-year-old Jaymz Stares jemmied the door and forced entry to the Lexton Post Office at 3.30am on January 21.

Police informant First Constable Aaron White said Stares stole chocolate bars, milk, ice cream and a computer from the store before moving on to the Pyrenees Hotel.

There he is alleged to have broken the bottom glass panelled to enter, selected a number of alcohol bottles and left.

He was captured on CCTV at both businesses and allegedly caused $1500 damage to the post office.

First Constable White said Stares drove to the Waubra General Store at 4.50am and put a chair and bench in his car.

He allegedly rammed the building with his car after he failed to gain access, causing $12,500 damage.

Stares allegedly abandoned his car later that morning at Burrumbeet and police found the stolen items inside.

He was arrested on February 5 after police were called to his partner's address to reports of a family violence incident.

Stares is charged with burglary, theft, handling stolen goods and committing an offence while on bail.

First Constable White said Stares' offending while on bail had escalated, particularly with the alleged use of his car in an attempt to force his way into the Waubra store.

He said police understood Stares was using cannabis and methamphetamine and he had failed to comply with court orders in the past.

During an application for bail at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Stares' defence lawyer said he had an intellectual disability and a limited prior criminal history.

She said she conceded the prosecution case was strong, but submitted her client was unlikely to receive a jail penalty if sentenced on the charges before the court.

The lawyer said Stares would have the support of the Court Integrated Services Program if released on bail with a treatment plan in place.

She said he would also have the support of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative.

Magistrate Tim Walsh said there was a risk to the public as the alleged burglaries targeted commercial businesses and the ramming was serious.

"There is an escalation there. It is reckless behaviour that places the public at risk," he said.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Repac said Stares had targeted small towns in the early hours of the morning when the risk of detection was low.

"It would have taken some degree of premeditation to target those areas," he said.

Mr Walsh said he was satisfied Stares met the compelling reasons test for bail and the risk could be reduced by bail conditions.

Stares was granted bail and must comply with a curfew. He will stay at a motel supported by CISP and Uniting until he can secure longer-term accommodation.

"If you breach these bail conditions and come back before me you will be in custody for a long time," Mr Walsh said.

"You have good support through CISP. Grab the opportunity."

Pyrenees Hotel owner Brett Lennard told The Courier on the day of the incident he felt 'sick' after discovering the break-in.

Waubra General Store owner Karen Hinchliffe said she 'couldn't believe' their store had been targeted.

"It's very disappointing. We are just shocked that someone would do this to a small town," she said.

Lexton Post Office Manager Christine Richards said the shop was the community's hub and the computer stolen was for community use.

Police returned the stolen items found in the abandoned car to the owners.

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