Joel Baird faces court over Winter Valley, Alfredton and Miners Rest property thefts

A man accused of stealing more than $50,000 worth of power tools, property and cars from across Ballarat has faced court. His identity has now been revealed.

A man accused of stealing more than $50,000 worth of property, after a number of homes across Ballarat were targeted, will make a bid for freedom.

Joel Baird, 27, is facing 18 charges including two counts of aggravated burglary after tools, cars and items were stolen over January.

Mr Baird is alleged to have pinched property worth at least $51,159 from homes and buildings in Haddon, Springbank, Alfredton, Miners Rest, Winter Valley, Ballarat North, Ballarat East, and Wendouree.

He is also charged with arson and is alleged to have torched a car at Springmount, which he previously stole from Ballarat East, according to court documents.

Mr Baird briefly faced the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Friday, from prison via video link.

His defence lawyer Manny Brennan told the court that the police case relied “almost entirely” on CCTV footage.

Mr Baird who remains behind bars, will return to court next week and is expected to apply for bail.

A further court date has been set for April.

CCTV footage posted on Facebook by a Miners Rest woman appears to show a man running off with his arms full of belongings, alleged to have been stolen from her Arranmore Estate house.