Accused fraudster and car thief, Jake Friel, granted bail

A Geelong man accused of thefts worth more than $1m, including stealing nine cars in one day, has asked for bail.

Jake Friel. Picture: Facebook

An alleged fraudster accused of thefts worth more than a million dollars and of making more than $31,000 in fraudulent purchases, has been bailed to live with his mum.

Jake Friel, 35, appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday via videolink for a bail application, facing 49 charges including numerous counts of obtaining property by deception, using false documents and theft, along with possessing ice and viagra, attempting to commit indictable offences and driving while disqualified.

According to charge sheets released by the court, Mr Friel’s alleged offending spanned April to October 2024, with a prosecutor describing it as “heavily planned, organised” and “orchestrated”.

Mr Friel is accused of stealing nine cars in Laverton on a single day in September.

According to charge sheets he stole cars including BMWs, Fords and a Toyota HiLux, each valued at $100,000.

The court heard the prosecution’s case was circumstantial, but it was a “strong” case with some forensic and phone tower evidence.

Mr Friel’s fingerprints and DNA allegedly linked him to some of the stolen vehicles, the court heard.

He has previously applied for bail on the charges, and been refused, the court heard.

Mr Friel’s lawyer, Sarah Wood, told the court there were a number of changed circumstances that had yet to be put to the court.

These included that Mr Friel’s mother was now in a position to accommodate and supervise him and that he had been found suitable for supported bail through the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP), she said.

Mr Friel’s mother, Nadia Friel, took to the stand, telling the court she would not tolerate any misbehaviour and would report any bail breaches to police.

“He has to work and not be around any of those friends he used to be around,” Mrs Friel said.

“He has to settle, just be a regular person, like me. I’m a regular person.”

On cross-examination, Mrs Friel was pressed about her son’s associates, including former bikie John Donnelly.

It was Mr Friel’s “last chance” to have his mother’s support, the court heard.

“I’ve had enough, completely had enough … he knows he doesn’t have me after this. I can’t do it anymore,” Mrs Friel said.

The prosecution still opposed bail, maintaining that Mr Friel was an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety and welfare of the community.

The prosecutor said Mrs Friel’s support was “admirable”, but said no evidence had been provided about Mr Friel would spend his time if released.

“He’s leaving custody to sit at home with his mother … (it’s) difficult to get a picture of what his life would be like on bail,” the prosecutor said.

Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir granted Mr Friel bail, albeit “not without some concern”.

Mr Friel will reappear in court on April 14 for a committal hearing, where the evidence against him will be tested before the matter proceeds to the County Court.

Originally published as Accused fraudster and car thief, Jake Friel, granted bail