Lalor: Guns, swords and stolen vehicles allegedly found at Casey Drive house
Up until last month a Lalor property was in such a state it allegedly pushed neighbours to move away. It’s been cleared up and sold after some sinister finds.
North
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Guns and stolen goods were allegedly found at a Lalor property that was so messy it pushed neighbours to move away, a court has heard.
Brendan Wright, who was living in the house at the time, unsuccessfully applied for bail at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court after being charged over the weapons and stolen items.
The unemployed 37-year-old was taken into custody on January 21 when police raided the Casey Drive property and allegedly seized a loaded handgun, a rifle scope, stolen car, three stolen motorcycles, a stolen parcel and a stolen number plate.
Senior Constable Max Angus said a follow up search on May uncovered a long list of items, allegedly including a handgun, modified rifle, two swords and a ballistics vest.
Police also allegedly seized a ‘deal bag’ containing methamphetamine, 14 bicycles and a series of items also believed to be stolen goods.
The court heard Wright had a housemate at the time, but she had been charged over separate items found in her room.
Sen-Constable Angus told the court the house had belonged to Wright’s dad, who had sold it after Wright was taken into custody 73 days ago.
A letter to the court from Wright’s father said it would be highly stressful for him and his wife if Wright was released on bail.
Sen-Constable Angus said it had taken the couple several weeks and a number of skips to clean up the property, which was cluttered with car parts.
The letter said they had spent about $23,000 on the clean up, with the lot having been so messy it caused neighbours to sell and move away.
“People taking their children to school were scared to walk on that side of the street,” the letter read.
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The court heard police were worried Wright would commit offences to support his alleged drug habit if he was granted bail, when he made his application on Friday, April 3.
Wright’s lawyer, Mr Burton, said the COVID-19 outbreak meant custody was more burdensome than in normal circumstances, and could cause a significant delay for Wright’s matters.
But Magistrate Meagan Keogh said it was “alarming” that he was allegedly found with a loaded handgun while he was on bail for firearms charges.
“That very clearly indicates to me that there is a significant potential risk to the safety and welfare of members of the public,” she said.
“And I can’t mitigate that risk with bail conditions.”