Alleged home invader Jack Raymond ‘under spell’ of uncle

A teenager accused of a series of supermarket burglaries and home invasions fell “under the spell” of his older uncle, a court has heard.

A teenager accused of a wave of home invasions and burglaries across Melbournes’ western suburbs came “under the spell” of his uncle, a court has heard.

Jack Raymond, 18, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged over two alleged home invasions and two burglaries.

It‘s alleged the Altona teenager, his uncle Jamie Miller, 47, and an unidentified man were responsible for the burglary of two Woolworths stores on June 23.

Prosecutor Sam Profitt said CCTV footage allegedly shows three men arriving at a Woolworths in Yarraville at about 12.36am.

He said Mr Raymond allegedly smashed a window with an axe to gain entry, before the three offenders tried to force open money trays in the checkout area.

“They ran without stealing anything after smoke canisters deployed in the checkout area,” Mr Profitt said.

Just 20 minutes later the trio is accused of breaking into a Williamstown Woolworths and stealing 182 packets of cigarettes, valued at $7730.

Mr Profitt said a White Mazda BT50 ute linked to the alleged offending was discovered ablaze in Hoppers Crossing two days later.

Mr Raymond is further accused of two home invasions in the Williamstown area on July 14 with co-accused Braeden Austin, 27.

Detective senior constable Laurance Shanahan said the pair were allegedly caught on CCTV breaking into two homes on Crofton Drive and Sandpiper Place.

They were allegedly armed with a knife and stole thousands of dollars in tools, some of which were allegedly recovered by police later that month.

Constable Shanahan told the court the alleged victims had been “significantly affected”.

“They’ve told me they feel they’re no longer safe in their own homes,” he said.

In court, lawyers acting for Mr Raymond sought bail for the teen to care for his grandmother who is suffering from serious health problems.

“He’s the youngest by some significant margin,” she said.

“[The uncle] is obviously a very bad influence.”

Despite police opposition, Mr Raymond was given bail by Magistrate Carolyn Burnside on the condition he comply with a youth justice bail plan.

“These seem to be pretty strong cases,” she said.

“The reality is I think you came under the spell of your uncle and you haven‘t made the right decision to say no.”

He will return to the same court on October 17.