Richmond star Marlion Pickett granted bail on 12 charges, relating to alleged burglaries valued at more than $380,000
Richmond’s Marlion Pickett has been granted bail under strict conditions after being charged in relation to burglaries valued at more than $380,000. Here’s what’s been alleged.
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Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett was allegedly involved in commercial burglaries that netted more than $380,000 during a summer crime spree that targeted the safes of businesses across Perth and neighbouring towns.
One burglary alone was valued at $325,000, police say.
Pickett was arrested on Sunday after the Tigers win over Fremantle in Perth and charged on four counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of stealing, one count of receiving and three counts of criminal damage or destruction of property.
During a bail hearing on Monday police pointed to bank transactions under Pickett’s name for clothing and tools allegedly used during the burglaries.
A campervan allegedly rented under the footballer’s name was allegedly used to transport stolen goods interstate.
The magistrate said Pickett would likely face prison time if found guilty.
Pickett was granted bail, despite Police opposing it on Monday, calling the charges “serious”.
The alleged offences occurred across four different locations in Beechboro, Girrawheen, Beverley and Bindoon, relating to burglaries from safes in December 2022 and January 2023.
The two-time premiership player will return to Melbourne on strict conditions with $50,000 surety, requiring him to attend Reservoir Police Station in Melbourne every Tuesday until the next court date in 10 weeks on August 21.
The 31-year-old attended Perth’s Central Law Courts on Monday after voluntarily meeting with WA Police on Sunday following Richmond’s win over Fremantle on Saturday night.
The magistrate granted bail, believing Pickett wasn’t a flight risk nor a risk of re-offending, despite being imprisoned for two-and-a-half years a similar offence in 2010. It was noted Pickett had one criminal offence since then, for possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained material in 2016.
The other conditions of his bail include continuing to reside at his Reservoir address in Melbourne, not approaching an international airport and not contacting or associating five co-accused.
Pickett’s representative David Manera argued he was the sole provider for his family with four children, having been in a 15-year de facto relationship with his partner, and needed to remain in Melbourne to maintain his profession.
His manager Anthony van der Wielen was in attendance at the bail hearing but opted not to comment afterwards. Pickett, wearing a black T-shirt, spoke only to confirm his attendance during the bail application.
Mr Van Der Wielen later escorted Pickett out of court, where the player declined to make any comment. Mr Manera did stop to speak to reporters and said he was “very surprised” police opted not to release Pickett overnight and opposed bail given his client’s long gap in criminal offending and willingness to assist their investigations.
When asked how Pickett was feeling, Mr Manera said: “All he said to me was, ‘I want to get out of here’.” He added that it was Pickett’s intention to fly back to Melbourne later that day after Monday’s hearing.
The incidents were on December 3 in Girrawheen, December 13 in Beverley, December 28 in Bindoon and January 3 in Beechboro.
The Herald Sun understands Pickett was told mid-week those detectives were keen to talk to him as early as Friday when he returned to Perth to play in the clash against Fremantle.
He decided to instead speak to detectives after the Saturday night clash and after making his statement on Sunday was arrested.
Pickett’s manager Van Der Wielen told the Herald Sun on Sunday night in a statement his client would defend himself against the charges.
“In response to the allegations, Marlion has a strong intent to defend himself against the charges,” he said.
“Due to the ongoing legal nature of the proceedings, Marlion, or myself will not be able to provide any further details, comment or clarification about the matter at this stage.
“We understand and respect the public’s interest in this matter, but we also implore all to respect the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, and to allow the legal proceedings to follow their due course without prejudice,” the statement read.
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Originally published as Richmond star Marlion Pickett granted bail on 12 charges, relating to alleged burglaries valued at more than $380,000
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