Bellbrae man Jacob Agostino, 26, granted bail after alleged armed robberies

A court has heard a local footballer’s unusual excuse for allegedly holding up multiple service stations armed with a rock or garden spade in a two-hour spree.

Jacob Agostino, 26, fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture: Anglesea Football Club

A local footy player who allegedly robbed three Geelong service stations while armed with a rock or spade has hit “rock bottom”, a court has heard.

Bellbrae’s Jacob Agostino, 26, was signed to the Anglesea Football Club in January, having previously played for St Bede’s Mentone in the Victorian Amateur Football Association league.

He fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a bail application after he was charged with three counts of armed robbery and two counts of theft.

Detective Senior Constable Michael White told the court Mr Agostino was armed with a rock when he entered an Ampol service station in Newtown just before 1pm on Tuesday.

Mr Agostino allegedly demanded cash from the attendant, who was “fearful” and handed over the money.

About 1.45pm, he then entered the Ampol in Newcomb and placed a Snickers bar onto the counter.

Mr Agostino allegedly padded down his pockets and told the attendant he needed to go back to his car to get some money.

When he went back inside, he placed a five cent coin onto the counter before he allegedly raised a garden spade at the cashier, which he had hidden up his sleeve.

He allegedly told the attendant to hand over money and to not press the duress alarm.

The cashier handed over about $200 cash.

About 2.30pm, Mr Agostino went to an Ampol in Grovedale, with a garden spade again concealed under his jumper.

He placed a KitKat bar onto the counter and handed the cashier a $5 note.

When the worker opened up the till, he again demanded cash before fleeing the scene.

Police at the scene at Ampol in Grovedale. Picture: Lincoln Holmes

Just before 3pm, Mr Agostino was arrested at his home in Bellbrae.

Constable White said Mr Agostino made full admissions to the offences during a police interview.

The court heard when Mr Agostino was asked why he had committed the offences, he told police “he had fallen on hard times and this was his only option”.

Mr Agostino’s lawyer, Thea Casey, said her client had no criminal history but the charges were “very serious”.

Ms Casey told the court Mr Agostino broke his hip during pre-season earlier this year.

He lived with his mother for five weeks after he had surgery and underwent rehab, the court heard.

His mother told the court her son had been struggling to cope post-injury as he was unable to work as an electrical apprentice.

Ms Casey said Mr Agostino had been experiencing depression but had “kept his concerns to himself” in the lead-up to the alleged offending.

“Things have clearly hit rock bottom,” she said.

Magistrate Michael McNamara granted Mr Agostino bail on the condition that he reports once a week to Franskon police station, resides with his mother and engages with counselling treatment.

“This is a very unusual case,” he said.

“But he has enormous support (from his family).”

Mr Agostino will front court for a committal mention on October 8.

Originally published as Bellbrae man Jacob Agostino, 26, granted bail after alleged armed robberies