Norlane man Adam Robinson, 27, accused of trying to steal gun safe in alleged burglary spree

An unemployed Norlane man has fronted court accused of using power tools to break into a home and businesses during an allegedly crime spree.

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An unemployed Norlane man who allegedly used a stolen car in an attempt to rip a gun safe from a wall during a burglary spree has been denied bail.

Adam Robinson, 27, faced the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday where it was alleged he was involved in a string of burglaries and attempted burglaries between January 26 and February 9.

The court was told the alleged offending stretched from Barwon Heads to Bannockburn and left tens of thousands of dollars of damage in its wake.

Mr Robinson allegedly stole cars, power tools and even a fish and chip shop’s tip jar, during the spree, using axes, a grinder and other tools to gain entry to businesses and a home.

One incident in February saw Mr Robinson allegedly rob a home in Barwon Heads of up to $15,000 of jewellery, electronics and personal documents including passports.

The court heard Mr Robinson then allegedly used a black Toyota HiLux, said to have been stolen in an earlier burglary, to drive through the property’s garage doors, tie a strap around a gun safe and attempt to rip it from the wall.

The resulting damage to the house was estimated to be $33,000.

Magistrate John Bentley refused to grant Mr Robinson bail, stating he was an “unacceptable risk”.

Mr Robinson, who appeared via videolink, faces 31 charges including burglary and theft.

Police informant Senior Detective Thomas Gillies told the court police believed the thefts were linked due to the cars used and items of clothing worn by the perpetrator in CCTV, including Nike shoes, a green hoodie and a pair of “distinctive” tracksuit pants.

Mr Robinson’s lawyer, Sarah Wood, told the court the CCTV evidence was “not clear”.

A Volkswagen belonging to Mr Robinson, and alleged to be used in several of the burglaries, was later found crashed and abandoned in Melbourne’s west.

A co-accused was arrested near the scene.

Mr Robinson was arrested on February 27 after “jumping multiple fences” to evade police, the court heard.

On February 9, Mr Robinson and a co-accused were alleged to have burgled a fish and chip shop in Seabrook, stealing items including iPads and other electronic devices.

The stolen goods were allegedly later recovered from Mr Robinson’s car.

The court was also told police found $756.70 in loose cash, $427 in a pillowcase, $300 in a wallet and an iPhone stolen during one of the burglaries, which allegedly contained messages sent by the accused, in the car.

Mr Gillies alleged a check of Google Maps on the phone revealed a recently visited location was the fish and chip shop.

DNA analysis was also alleged to have returned a match for Mr Robinson on the vehicle’s passenger airbag, Mr Gillies said.

Ms Wood told the court that a bed available at rehabilitation centre Odyssey House was a compelling reason behind his bail application.

“He’s never had the opportunity to partake in residential rehabilitation,” Ms Wood said.

“The availability of that bed is a compelling reason itself, and the risk could be mitigated.”

Ms Wood said that Mr Robinson understood the seriousness of the crimes he was accused of.

Mr Robinson will face court again on September 19.

Originally published as Norlane man Adam Robinson, 27, accused of trying to steal gun safe in alleged burglary spree