By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Keysborough ice-user accused of four vehicle thefts has been bailed to start work at a car-interior repair workshop.
Police had opposed bail, declaring in court that the unemployed Luke Camillo, 22, was a danger to the public.
Camillo repeatedly drove while suspended, was caught excessively speeding, carried weapons in the past, used drugs and fled police when confronted, police informant Senior Constable Neil Comrie told Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 10 April.
“He hasn’t learnt from his mistakes and continues to make them,” Sen Const Comrie said.
Camillo was accused of riding a motorcycle stolen from St Kilda during a petrol drive-off in Dandenong on 25 March, and speeding away from police at up to 110 km/h as they followed him from the servo.
The police called off the pursuit, later arresting him after an alleged 100-metre foot chase near Bourke and Clayton roads, Clarinda.
During his arrest, Camillo – still in his motorbike helmet and gloves – turned around to face an arresting officer while fidgeting in his pockets, Sen Const Comrie told the court.
Camillo allegedly failed to comply with orders to get his hands out and get on the ground, causing the officer to pull out a gun.
A second officer grabbed Camillo and brought him to ground.
Sen Const Comrie told the court that an “aggressive” Camillo shouted abuse and was non-compliant during the arrest.
At a police interview, Camillo admitted to the petrol theft, unlicensed riding, speeding and breaching his bail conditions, but denied knowledge that the bike was stolen.
He claimed it was an unnamed friend’s vehicle, the court was told.
At the time, Camillo was on two counts of bail, accused of multiple speeding, petrol and vehicle theft, drug and suspended driving charges.
He was also charged with possessing tools believed to be used for break-ins.
One of the allegations stemmed from Camillo seeking to claim a $5000 reward posted on Facebook by the Brighton owner of a stolen $20,000 Daytona 675R motorbike.
Camillo allegedly messaged the victim and then returned the bike with co-offenders. He received $800 from the victim and was shortly after arrested by police.
Camillo’s lawyer argued the accused was homeless during part of the offending, and was now being offered a stable home with a relative and a job at that relative’s workplace – at a car interior-repair shop.
On the witness stand, the relative said he was offering Camillo “one last chance”. He said he wanted Camillo to do drug rehab and a weekly urine test.
“I’m disappointed (in Camillo) to be honest.”
Magistrate Barry Schultz noted Camillo’s likelihood of serving a short term in jail – with a community corrections order – for the offending.
To remand the accused in custody could form an “inappropriate” sentence, he said.
Camillo’s bail conditions included a $500 surety, thrice-weekly reporting to police, a night curfew, a ban on driving and drug-use, adhering to CREDIT bail and living at a fixed address.
He was bailed to appear for mention at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 24 May.
