Jake Low: Accused $300k shop burglar bailed thanks to his mum
An alleged thief who targeted 24 businesses in a burglary bender has been let out of jail after a court promise from his mother.
South East
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An alleged burglar accused of committing a massive $213,000 crime spree involving computer and electronic stores, milk bars, tool shops, servos, pubs and clubs has been bailed — thanks to his mum.
Jake William Low is also accused of causing a further $93,000 in damage by busting windows, breaking shutters and ripping off security bars of premises across Melbourne and country Victoria.
At the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday Low was released from remand after his mother offered up a $50,000 surety.
The Berwick 25-year-old was also placed on a raft of other conditions including a night-time curfew, not attending a pub or a gaming venue and no driving, drug-taking or associating with any co-accused.
Low is contesting more than 60 burglary, theft, criminal damage and bail breach charges involving 24 late night raids police say occurred between December 6 last year and February 19 this year.
It is alleged the offenders used methods such as throwing rocks through windows, jimmying doors, grinding padlocks, hitching ropes to pull off shutters and backing cars into shopfronts before nicking cigarettes, electronic goods and cash.
A surveillance operation was set up to follow the suspected thieves, with officers allegedly catching Low red-handed trying to break in to a shop in Campbellfield.
After he was arrested officers allegedly found drugs, gloves, a picket driver, jemmy bar, angle grinder, hammer, sledgehammer and a “shopping list” of stolen items.
Suburbs hit include Seaford, Rowville, Mt Waverley, Mitcham, Clayton, Oakleigh South, Melton, Narre Warren, Dandenong South, Emerald and Campbellfield.
Regional locations including Warragul, Neerim South, Beaconsfield Upper, Tooradin and Launching Place were also the sites of alleged burglaries.
Defence lawyer James Portelli said the prosecution case was not strong, there were elements of delay because key evidence had yet to be forensically analysed, and Low had access to support programs on the outside.
Magistrate Greg Connellan said it was only “by a fine margin” that he decided he would grant bail.
“I haven’t ever imposed such tight conditions on anyone else,” Mr Connellan said.
“If you don’t comply, if you commit further offences, your mum will face the loss of her $50,000.
“And your chances of getting bail again will disappear completely.”
Low was bailed to live with his mother and he will return to court on September 9.
