David Andrews: Accused Hungry Jack’s burger burglar refused bail
Burgers are better: A hangry fast food fella accused of taking self-service to a new level will swap Whoppers for prison porridge.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
An alleged thief accused of jumping a Hungry Jack’s counter, stealing trays full of food and walking out with an armful of burgers and fries will remain behind bars.
David Andrews allegedly said he couldn’t care less if staff at the Narre Warren restaurant called cops as he “was starving” and had no choice but to steal the food.
The unemployed Noble Park 41-year-old is also alleged to have ripped off a grog shop and carried a backpack full of weapons including a slingshot and a billiard ball tied in a sock.
Mr Andrews unsuccessfully applied for bail at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday on burglary, shop theft and drug possession charges.
The court heard at around 5pm on April 28 this year Mr Andrews, who was allegedly holding a brick in one hand and a bottle of Jack Daniels in the other, walked into the Narre Warren Hungry Jack’s store.
Police say he then put the brick and whisky down, climbed over the counter and picked up food.
He allegedly told stunned workers “I’m starving, I don’t care if you call the cops” before simply walking out with the tucker.
Officers arrived and allegedly found him sat down on a grass verge opposite the restaurant chowing down on chips and Whoppers.
Mr Andrews was on bail at the time over shop theft and weapons possessions charges.
A few days prior to the Hungry Jack’s incident he is accused of stealing bottles of spirits from a Caulfield bottle shop and carrying an axe, a knife and some pliers in a bag.
And in January this year police went to his home for a welfare check to find him allegedly carrying a chainsaw and a slingshot and a billiard ball hidden in a sock inside a backpack.
His defence lawyer said Mr Andrews had been homeless at the time and was using methamphetamine.
He said he should be released on a support program to see how his drug and mental health treatment went, with any sentence to be deferred for four months.
Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg said Mr Andrews posed an “unacceptable risk” of reoffending.
“Your non-compliance and use of illicit substances are going to mess with your head and cause further offending,” Mr Rozencwajg said.
Bail was refused and Mr Andrews was remanded in custody until June 25.
