Amateur boxer Rob Conte extradited to Melbourne on home invasion charge
Police will allege an amateur boxing champion was armed with a hammer during a savage Melbourne home invasion over a drug debt before absconding to the Sunshine Coast to escape capture.
Police & Courts
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An amateur boxer has been extradited back to Victoria after he absconded to the Sunshine Coast following an alleged home invasion over a drug debt.
Robert Conte was apprehended by police in sunny Queensland this week following an allegedly violent attack with a hammer searching for money owed for drugs in the southeast Melbourne suburb of Chelsea Heights on June 24.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Conte and a 20-year-old man, both from Frankston in Melbourne, were charged with home invasion to assault with an offensive weapon.
Police allege the 24-year-old entered a home as a trespasser with intent to assault another person at Chelsea Heights while in company.
It’s further alleged by police he had with him offensive weapons which were a hammer and baton.
Police allege the home invasion was over a marijuana debt worth more than $2000.
The 24-year-old, who only last year won the Victorian Amateur Boxing League state title, appeared by video in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday where defence lawyer Michael Robinson applied for his bail.
Police objected to Conte’s bail and pushed for an interstate warrant to be executed to allow the 24-year-old to return back to Victoria to face his charges in Melbourne.
Two Victorian detectives and a Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch detective watched on in the public gallery as Mr Robinson conceded there were significant risks against Conte in terms of bail.
This was retold in multiple pages of criminal history which included offences of aggravated burglary and discharging a missile to cause injury.
The court heard Conte was allegedly identified by one of the men he assaulted from previous dealings.
Acting magistrate Anna Smith said police allege they went to the Chelsea Heights home to “redeem payment for drugs”.
“Violently so it appears,” Ms Smith said.
Mr Robinson said police allege Conte left a hammer at the scene however he was not told if the weapon was forensically examined as yet. He said no statements were obtained from either of the alleged victims of the home invasion to detail the nature of their previous dealings.
The Legal Aid solicitor said Conte could reside at his mum’s home in Shepparton, three hours away from Melbourne.
Mr Robinson said Conte’s family and his partner offered a $10,000 surety to assure the court the 24-year-old would return to court.
Ms Smith said Conte’s criminal history did him no favours where he’s faced with allegations he used violence and weapons in a home invasion which had “significant protracted violence”.
The acting magistrate said it was a “strong” case against Conte and was satisfied forensic investigations could tie Conte to the scene.
Conte had his bail refused and will be extradited to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 6.
The 20-year-old man will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 20.
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