Police say releasing Hells Angels member Mitchell Hand is ‘unacceptable risk’ to public safety
A Hells Angels chapter president is accused of joking he was “finally a homeowner” after allegedly stealing a tiny house and moving it to the OMCG’s Alphington stronghold.
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A senior Hells Angels office bearer will have to wait at least a week to find out if he will be spending Christmas behind bars.
Mitchell Hand, 33, who has been in custody for 12 days, on Friday appeared before Frankston Magistrates Court via video link to apply for bail.
He is facing firearm, drug and theft charges in relation to a tiny house that was allegedly stolen from a Campbellfield business in June.
The house was later allegedly found during a police raid at the Hell’s Angels Alphington clubhouse in November.
Mr Hand was referred to as the president of the Alphington chapter of the OMCG several times in court.
Police alleged a shotgun was found under the tiny house and white powder, believed to be a cutting agent used with a drug of dependence, steroids and a signal jammer were seized from a Cranbourne North house in a separate raid.
Magistrate Fiona Stewart flagged early her intention to delay a decision on Mr Hand’s bail application.
Ms Stewart said a nine page submission by the prosecution was “very long” and she had not had the opportunity to consider the entire document.
The document included details about text messages and calls intercepted from a mobile phone police allege was used by Mr Hand to organise the theft and relocation of the two storey, three bedroom tiny house.
The court heard in one of the phone exchanges Mr Hand allegedly said he was “finally a homeowner” and he “can’t argue with the price”.
Police also alleged the phone intercept revealed Mr Hand discussing his concerns about “plumbing” under the tiny house.
The comment was believed to be related to a shotgun wrapped in orange fabric police allegedly later found under the tiny house.
Mr Hand’s lawyer said her client had strong support from his family and prepared to accept strict bail conditions, including a curfew and agreeing not to associate with other OMCG members.
A ”very close family friend” was willing to provide a $400,000 surety by using the equity in their house.
She also argued police had not yet had the phone intercepts transcribed or the shotgun tested for DNA or fingerprints, and could not say when those elements of their investigation would be completed.
Mr Hand was facing a lengthy wait in custody before he had the chance to plead not guilty to the charges, she said.
However, police opposed bail because releasing Mr Hand would pose a risk to the safety and welfare of the public.
Mr Hand will return to court on December 20.
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