Ricky McLeod, 26, was remanded in custody on February 6 before appearing in Echuca Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he was further remanded to February 26 in the same court.
He has been charged with dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, committing an indictable offence while on bail and two counts of breaching a conduct condition of bail.
The men were arrested early on February 6 after six Echuca properties were raided as part of a joint investigation into a spate of burglaries across the Campaspe, Moira and Shepparton areas.
Police charged a man, 32, with five counts of handling stolen goods, four counts of burglary, three of theft, two of trafficking a drug of dependence (ice) and theft of a motor vehicle and single counts of attempted burglary, possessing and using a drug of dependence (ice) and dealing with proceeds of crime.
A man, 33, faces four counts of burglary, three of theft, two of handling stolen goods and one of attempted burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, possessing methamphetamine, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence and dealing with proceeds of crime.
A man, 27, has been charged with handling stolen goods and a man, 28, with possessing and using methamphetamine and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Another man, 28, faces charges of handling stolen goods, possessing cannabis, possessing an unregistered firearm and being a non-licensed person, and not securing a firearm in a safe manner.
They have all been bailed to appear at Echuca Magistrates’ Court on April 2.
A man, 25, was interviewed and released pending summons.
Cobram Criminal Investigation Unit officer-in-charge Detective Sergeant Marcus Boyd said investigations were continuing.
‘‘There will possibly be further charges laid and further arrests,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re still going through the evidence and all the property seized.’’
During the searches at Woodlands Circuit, Stawell, Paroo, Leichardt and Boothman Sts, and Lady Augusta Rd in Echuca, police seized tens of thousands of dollars worth of suspected stolen goods, including a yellow Holden Monaro, firearms, stolen tools, motorbike, firearms scope, a safe, a conducted energy device, a fire starter, rifle stock and an ammunition belt and a small amount of drugs, believed to be ice.
The arrests follow a six-week investigation into more than 30 aggravated, residential and commercial burglaries in the past six weeks by Moira, Campaspe and Shepparton police, Eastern Region Crime Squad and Central Victoria Response Unit.
Det Sgt Boyd hoped this investigation would send a message to criminals who travelled long distances to avoid detection.
‘‘We work closely with our colleagues around the state and are prepared to bring resources from miles away to bring offenders to account,’’ he said.
‘‘They don’t realise the effect burglaries have on business owners and residents. There has been a lot of destruction left behind after these burglaries which has a significant impact on communities.’’
