Jai White, 19, charged over Rockhampton mail centre heist

A 19-year-old Berserker man is the third to be arrested and charged over the alleged Australia Post Rockhampton mail centre break-in. He has applied for bail a Rockhampton court.

Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Peachey. Picture: Aden Stokes

A teenager who has been charged over the alleged 13-hour heist at the Australia Post mail centre in Berserker had a dramatic outburst in court after he was denied bail.

Jai Taylor White, 19, applied for bail in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 9.

Mr White was charged with a number of offences, including two counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence by break and one count of obstructing a police officer.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe opposed bail being granted to Mr White.

Police allege a group of persons that broke into the Australia Post Centre in Berserker on February 25 about 7am and over 13 hours, allegedly came and went from the centre, disguising themselves as workers in high-vis clothing, opening and taking packages and mail items.

The mail centre was closed at the time and there were no authorised workers on site.

About 9pm, an Australia Post vehicle was allegedly stolen and was later found burnt out at 11.40pm at Parkhurst.

Mr White was taken into custody at a Berserker address on Wednesday and was charged.

Senior Constable Rowe said the group had allegedly gained entry to the facility by prying open a side door and that Mr White had allegedly left with a bag of stolen property and later returned with the group and regained entry.

“It is not like he was placed in a situation where he only went once and then left, he returned,” she said.

“He has been viewed on CCTV footage to be removing a large quantity of products from that place.

“This would have affected a number of people in the community, if not more.

“He is an unacceptable risk of failing to appear and committing further offences in the community.”

Solicitor Ashley Reynolds, who represented Mr White in court, said her client and his mother, who supported him in court, had left Brisbane and moved to Rockhampton, believing they had stable accommodation.

“Unfortunately, when they got here they realised that accommodation was not in fact stable and they have since been homeless,” Ms Reynolds said.

She said her client had been sleeping on a mattress underneath a high set house in Berserker, where he was found by police.

She said drugs had been a concern for her client and his living situation had forced him into a “particular group of associates”.

“Mr White has been caught up with older (alleged) co-offenders in the drug scene,” she said.

She said her client would stay at the Neville Bonner Hostel if granted bail and that he could be placed on strict conditions.

Senior Constable Rowe argued the bail address was just a hostel and that he wouldn’t be monitored.

Mr White was refused bail and remanded in custody, with his matters adjourned to March 30.

After Mr White was escorted from the dock in court, he could be heard swearing and shouting.

The court further heard loud slams on the door to the dock and security were seen rushing into the courtroom to assist.

Mr White’s mother was standing in the aisle of the court while this was happening and could be heard making some remarks and was told to “get out” by the prosecutor.

She replied, “I will excuse myself love, you f---ing big nosy c---,” and screamed “f---” as she left the courtroom.

Speaking to media on Thursday, Rockhampton CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Peachey said Mr White “put up a fight” while he was being arrested.

It is also understood evidence of stolen parcels were allegedly found at the residence.

White has not been charged at this stage in relation to the alleged stolen vehicle and arson.

Timothy Burrows, 34, and Jason Beattie, 47, have also been charged in relation to the alleged offence on February 25 and have both faced court and were refused bail and are awaiting further court hearings later this month.

Detective Peachey said the investigation was still underway and more persons could still be arrested over the alleged incident.

“We believe that there are a lot more people responsible and through our investigations we will bring some more people to charge,” he said.

“I won’t say a definitive number, it’s hard, we have been going through hours and hours of CCTV footage.

“What we do believe is that there are probably more responsible or involved … their level of involvement is still under investigation.”

Customers with concerns are encouraged to contact Australia Post on 13 POST (13 7678).