Heidelberg West: Robert Chehade accused of trying to break into home

A man allegedly who tried to force his way into a frightened woman’s house during a 40-minute crime spree in Melbourne’s northeast was allegedly found outside a Carlton primary school weeks armed with a knife weeks earlier.

Chehade was allegedly found with a knife in his pocket outside the school.

A man who allegedly tried to force his way into a Heidelberg West home in the middle of the night was also allegedly found outside Carlton Primary School carrying weapons.

Robert Chehade applied for bail at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 8, having been in jail for almost nine months since the alleged aggravated burglary.

The court heard the 48-year-old allegedly went on a 40-minute crime spree in Heidelberg West on Monday, August 12, while on a community corrections order and on bail for similar charges.

Robert Chehade has been granted bail.

Robert Chehade has been accused of attempted aggravated burglary.

Acting Sergeant Sarah Day said the alleged offending began at 1.07am when he allegedly stole a waterproof jacket and a fishing knife from a shed, damaging a door.

She said he then allegedly tried to steal a Toyota Corolla from a Heidelberg West front yard about 1.20am, with the owner waking to the sound of someone trying to start it, before he saw a man run from the car.

The Heidelberg West man then allegedly stole a NAB bank card from a nearby unlocked Ford Fiesta, before allegedly trying to break into a unit about 1.35am.

The court heard he allegedly entered a courtyard at the back of the unit and damaged the handle on the home’s back door by trying to force it open.

One of the three occupants heard him trying to break in and screamed out to the others, allegedly scaring him off.

Act Sgt Day said it was an “extremely confronting and distressing” experience for the residents.

Chehade allegedly damaged the door handle trying to force his way inside.

Police allegedly found Chehade wearing the stolen jacket in a street nearby about 1.40am.

He allegedly had the stolen bank card in his pocket, and the stolen knife was found near where he was arrested the following morning.

She said he told police he was looking for a place to urinate when he entered the courtyard, but allegedly became so aggressive and abusive the interview had to be cut short.

The court heard since being arrested Chehade had also been charged over an incident on June 28, when police went to Drummond St, Carlton about 7.20am responding to reports of him harassing passers-by.

Police allegedly found him standing near Carlton Primary School, with a knife and a hammer in his jeans, and methamphetamine and a knife in his backpack.

He was allegedly so drug-affected he had to be taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.

The court heard he was also accused of damaging a car by trying to steal it without a key from a Heidelberg West mechanic shop on May 27.

Act Sgt Day said the former heroin addict was unemployed and police were worried he would continue to steal.

His lawyer, Ms Mclure, said Chehade planned to contest the charges, and delays on the court system caused by the coronavirus crisis meant he would have to wait months more for a court date.

She pushed for him to be released on bail under the supervision of the court integrated services program.

Magistrates Stephen Ballek said while Chehade had a significant and relevant criminal history, delay was definitely an issue for the case.

He released Chehade on the supervised bail with a curfew.

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