Nicholas Steckis: Dad’s camera bail bid for accused druggie thief son
A devoted father has gone to extraordinary lengths to try to get bail for his drug-addicted son accused of being a big-time burglar.
South East
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A father installed cameras outside every room of his house so he could get bail for his accused burglar drug-addicted son, a court has heard.
Nicholas James Steckis faces a plethora of theft-related charges for crimes allegedly committed in January and February this year.
The 26-year-old of no fixed address has also been charged with serious driving offences linked to an alleged motorbike chase and a separate bike crash.
Mr Steckis applied for bail at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, appearing by video link with crutches leaning up against the prison media room wall.
A remand summary released to the Leader alleges on January 7 Mr Steckis raced his new motorbike — which had been bought one day before — at speeds of up to 140km/h in a 50km/h zone in Berwick.
He allegedly refused to pull over for police before crashing into a red light at the Clyde Rd and Princes Highway intersection.
Two days later he is accused of crashing a motorbike with false plates into a concrete barrier in Narre Warren.
He was taken to hospital to be treated for serious leg injuries, where he allegedly tested positive for ice.
On January 2 at around 2am Mr Steckis and another unknown man are accused of breaking into a Warragul computer store and stealing $20,000 worth of equipment.
An hour later the same pair are alleged to have used a sledgehammer to break into a Neerim South IGA, trying to steal cigarettes, but failing, and instead allegedly nicking a bottle of wine.
Then on the same night they are accused of stealing $200 cash from a Launching Place fruit shop.
On February 15 Mr Steckis and another male are accused of trying to break into a cigarette machine inside a Tooradin sports club.
And then on February 19 police say they targeted a Campbellfield Godfrey’s store, but failed to gain entry and were arrested, allegedly with ice and break-in tools in their possession.
Police opposed bail because they believe Mr Steckis is a high risk of reoffending, leaving the jurisdiction or endangering the community.
His father, Walter Steckis, appeared on the court link to vouch for his son’s willingness to abide by bail conditions.
He said his son needs to address his drug issues and stay away from “the wrong people”.
He said his family would be able to provide supervision at all times because he has installed cameras above each door “so he knows when people come and go”.
Mr Steckis’ defence lawyer told the court he was disputing many of the charges.
He said identification was an issue as CCTV footage of the alleged burglaries and DNA retrieved from the scenes is yet be analysed by police.
Magistrate Costas Kilias said Mr Steckis’ father was “a compelling witness” and his promise to contact authorities if his son stepped out of line was convincing.
He was bailed to live at his dad’s address with conditions he not use drugs, not drive a motor vehicle, not associate with any co-accused, obey a night curfew and not leave Victoria.
Mr Steckis will reappear in court again on March 15.
