Shepparton Magistrates’ Court: Cameron Schwartz accused of stolen motorbike

A Shepparton tradie who tried to sell an allegedly stolen motorbike was unable to recall its make when police arrived at his property.

A Shepparton tradie has been accused of driving a stolen motorbike after police found it at his home and he couldn’t confirm the make of the vehicle.

Cameron Schwartz appeared at the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for a contested hearing, for allegedly stealing a 1972 Honda motorbike.

The alleged theft of the motorbike took place on August 12, 2021, the court heard.

The 30-year-old was pulled over on the alleged stolen motorbike but the vehicle was “misidentified” as another bike in February 2022.

The court heard when Schwartz was asked what the make of the bike was, he had to inspect the bike in order to find it’s make — and police were “satisfied” he was the rightful owner of the bike

Schwartz told the court he couldn’t get the bike registered in Australia, and had evidence on him that stated the bike had never been reported stolen and it was a different bike.

Mr Schwartz was arrested on August 17, 2022 for the alleged theft of a 1972 Honda motorbike. Picture: Supplied

On May 28 last year, the owner of the bike was contacted by a friend saying he saw his bike advertised for sale on social media.

The friend attended the Shepparton police station and showed photos of the motorbike to officers, stating Schwartz allegedly attempted to sell them the bike.

Police later went to Schwartz’s address — who was not home at the time — on the Goulburn Valley Hwy in Kialla on June 9 last year and found the alleged stolen bike at the property, the court heard.

Schwartz was found and arrested on August 17 last year for the alleged theft of a motor vehicle.

A court document revealed the bike was registered to another man, who reported it stolen and then uploaded to the police database.

Police documents also revealed Schwartz never proved he was the owner of the bike.

Schwartz said police didn’t have the VIN number of the bike until after they came to his house and confiscated it, the court heard.

He claimed police registered the bike after they took it off him.

“It sat there until they came and took it,” Schwartz said.

However, Magistrate Simon Zebrowski said there was “no point” in discussing the matter.

Mr Zebrowski said Schwartz’s only defence was providing “fabricated” documents to the court.

He believed Schwartz had a stolen bike that had a VIN number and was previously registered, whereas Schwartz said it was not registered until after it was seized from his property.

“I can’t see any reason to discuss this matter further,” he said.

“If they prove it’s the same bike, your story goes to the ground.”

Mr Zebrowski adjourned the matter to a later date.