Bruce Lee Tille charged with alleged Christmas day theft from construction site denied bail

A Wollongong man has had his bail application rejected after allegedly damaging property and stealing $8000 of equipment early Christmas morning.

A man accused of stealing $8000 worth of equipment from a construction site in the early hours of Christmas morning was refused bail for the second time in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.

Police alleged Bruce Lee Tille and his de facto partner, Dawn Ede, were seen on security cameras breaking into the office of MODCO Constructions at 38 Atchison St, near the Wollongong CBD.

Police will allege in court Mr Tille, 42, and his co accused, 30, broke into the under-construction building around 1am on December 25 with Mr Tille destroying the lenses of high-end CCTV cameras in the basement before making their way to the office on the 18th floor.

According to documents tendered in Wollongong Local Court, the pair allegedly smashed through a glass window to gain access to the office before pocketing a waterproof thickness testing instrument, a small backpack, a laptop and a Makita tool bag and batteries with a total value of around $8000.

Five days after the alleged robbery, police arrested the duo at a unit at 4 Bligh St in Wollongong.

The pair was charged with entering a dwelling with intention to destroy or damage, and aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence.

Bruce Tille is alleged to have broken into and stolen from MODCO Constructions on Christmas morning 2021 with de facto partner Dawn Ede. Pictures: Facebook

The items police allege to have been stolen from the construction site were recovered in a garage at the address.

Mr Tille was refused bail on New Year’s Eve. He then appeared before Magistrate Greg Elks in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday where he applied for release.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Pavlin opposed the release on the grounds of Mr Tille’s previous failures to appear in court, his threat to the community and the likelihood of reoffending.

Defence solicitor Caitlin Drabble conceded Mr Tille’s record of 18 convictions dating back to 2001 didn’t assist her client, but argued there were mitigating circumstances.

“While his record doesn’t assist him, there is a significant gap in this type of offence,” Ms Drabble said.

“Mr Tille has developed a drug addiction and he has schizophrenia and has been unable to access medication while in custody.

“He hasn’t been able to access a phone, he hasn’t been outside and he hasn’t been able to shower. (Being in custody) is having a serious effect on his mental health.”

Ms Drabble also proposed bail conditions for her client including residing at his cousin’s home on Crown St, Wollongong; an after-hours curfew; an obligation to report daily to Wollongong Police Station and to undertake an Aboriginal-focused drug rehabilitation program.

“There is no doubt time in custody would be onerous on him,” Magistrate Elks said.

“But, I am of the view this is a strong case. He has a lengthy record, he has breached bail in respect to other matters and my view is it is more than likely he will serve a long custodial sentence. Bail will be refused.”

Mr Tille will return to court on January 25. Ms Ede, who was bailed on December 31 will next appear on February 22.