Heidelberg’s Matthew Shanahan accused of stealing from drug dealer

A Heidelberg West man allegedly stole a TV, bikes, power tools and an iPad from his alleged drug dealer in the early hours of the morning. But he has told police he doesn’t remember the thefts.

Shanahan has been accused of stealing power tools and an iPad from a vehicle.

A Heidelberg West man has been accused of stealing $15,000 worth of items from his drug dealer with the help of an accomplice.

Matthew Shanahan allegedly stole a TV, bikes, power tools and an iPad from a drug dealer’s Viewbank home, but the alleged dealer is yet to give a statement to police.

Shanahan fronted Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 13 to apply for bail, having been locked up for two days since his arrest.

Matthew Shanahan has been granted bail.

The court heard he was allegedly working with another man in the early hours of April 17 when he stole a TV and two bikes, which were in a shopping trolley in the Viewbank property’s driveway, and power tools and an iPad from inside a vehicle.

Shanahan was on bail at the time, having been caught with heroin on both November 8 and November 1.

Senior Constable James White said he told police he didn’t remember the thefts on April 17.

The court heard police were building the case against Shanahan on the word of his alleged accomplice, who told them Shanahan had been involved in the theft from their alleged dealer when he was arrested in April.

The victim had not provided an official statement to police almost a month later, the court heard, while there was some CCTV footage of the thieves.

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Sen-Constable White said police were worried Shanahan would not answer bail, having failed to come to court in March for his existing bail.

The court heard he was an unemployed ice user.

Magistrate Helen Murphy said she thought there were issues with the strength of the case against Shanahan, which meant there would be significant delays dealing with the charges during the coronavirus outbreak.

She said there was some risk of releasing Shanahan because of his criminal history, but the risk could be made acceptable with strict conditions.

He was bailed to live with a friend in Heidelberg West, under the supervision of the Court Integrated Services Program.

Shanahan was put on a 10pm-6am curfew and ordered not to contact the alleged co-accused.