Alleged burglar Matthew Barden stole furniture from houses for sale
A MAN accused of stealing a dishwasher and several other household items from open inspection properties on the Mornington Peninsula has faced court.
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A MAN accused of stealing a dishwasher, two mattresses and several other household items from open inspections has faced court.
The alleged thief has been charged with burgling several homes in Seaford and Mt Eliza, which had been dressed up to entice buyers.
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He is alleged to have nicked all manner of things from houses listed for sale, including antiques, tools, kitchen gear and even cleaning products.
Matthew James Barden, 38, of Seaford, appeared via videolink at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
His defence lawyer said he intended to plead guilty to the theft-related crimes, but needed his cases adjourned because another charge, of trafficking drugs, was still in dispute.
Charge sheets allege Mr Barden broke into a Mt Eliza home between November 25 and December 28 last year, netting a range of antique goods.
Police say he stole a couch, two chests of drawers, a dressing table, a dining table and six chairs, a 1970s stereo system, a 1960s record player, jewellery boxes and clocks, with a total value of $10,000.
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They say between April 4 and April 9 this year he stole bed linen, doonas, cushions, towels and rugs valued at $1000 from a Seaford home.
They allege sometime between May 19 and 21 he stole tools, cleaning products, painting equipment, a notebook, silver spoons and a cake stand, worth a total of $500, from another Seaford property.
On June 15 he is accused of stealing a dishwasher, two bed frames, two mattresses, two chairs, picture frames, cushions, blankets and pillows, and even a kettle, all up worth $3000, from a third Seaford house.
When he was arrested police said they needed two removalist trucks to seize all the ill-gotten goods, and the alleged thief had stolen the items because he “wanted to make his own house look nice”.
Mr Barden made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.
He will face court again on November 13.
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