Alleged fraudster and car thief Jake Friel to stand trial in Melbourne County Court

An alleged con has been committed to stand trial over claims he stole more $1m worth of cars and other goods during a prolific crime spree.

Jake Friel. Picture: Facebook

An alleged fraudster has been committed to stand trial over claims he stole more $1m worth of cars and other goods during a prolific crime spree.

Jake Friel, 35, appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court for a committal hearing on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to 66 charges.

According to charge sheets released by the court, he is accused of stealing nine cars in Laverton on a single day in September including BMWs, Fords and a Toyota HiLux, each valued at $100,000.

Others include 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.

Mr Friel’s alleged offending spanned April to October 2024.

Some of the evidence that will be presented at the trial was tested under cross-examination on Monday, with detective senior constable Joshua Chapman taking the stand.

Magistrate Simon Guthrie told the court he was satisfied the evidence presented was sufficient to support a conviction at trial, before asking Mr Friel how he plead.

“Not guilty,” he told the court.

He was given an alibi caution by Mr Guthrie and his extended bail conditions were explained to him.

He has surrendered his passport and is banned from leaving Victoria, contacting witnesses and must report to Geelong police station every Tuesday.

He is also under a strict curfew not to leave his mum Nadja Friel’s house between 8pm and 6am.

She was pressed during a bail application last month about her son’s association with former Rebels bikie John Donnelly.

The matter was listed for a directions hearing in the Melbourne County Court on May 12.

Originally published as Alleged fraudster and car thief Jake Friel to stand trial in Melbourne County Court