A man allegedly broke into eight Canberra businesses on a multi-day crime spree, causing significant damage and stealing thousands of dollars worth of cash, diamonds, electronics and other goods.
A magistrate said the allegations suggested the man had taken advantage of coronavirus restrictions to commit the crimes.
Matthew Mark Glass, 37, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, and entered pleas of not guilty to all charges against him. He faces nine burglary charges, three counts of minor theft, and one count each of theft and going equipped for theft.
In documents tendered to the court, police claim Glass busted into eight businesses in a total of nine burglaries, starting last Friday night and continuing until either late on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning.
He allegedly hit the Gather cafe in Braddon twice, and in the same suburb forced entry to KIN Gallery, Koji Collection, Bento Tei, Ciao Cafe and Cakes, and Siam Orchid Traditional Thai Massage.
Police say that in nearby Civic, Glass also targeted Tikka Take and Pressed Coffee Co in burglaries.
He allegedly stole from some, but not all of the eight businesses, finishing with a combined loot of about $5000 in cash and goods.
The items reported stolen included diamonds from KIN Gallery, while cash and electronic tablets gone from Tikka Take were worth about $3050 alone.
Police say they identified Glass as the burglar through CCTV footage, and officers arrested him in Reid on Tuesday morning.
Glass was allegedly equipped for theft at the time with screwdrivers and cutters, as well as glass-breaking and pry bar tools.
In court on Wednesday, Glass pleaded not guilty to all charges and applied for bail.
His lawyer, Taden Kelliher, questioned how police could have identified Glass when the allegations made reference to CCTV showing a man whose face was covered.
He said Glass, who was unemployed, had five young children and helped support them using money from Centrelink payments.
Mr Kelliher proposed bail conditions including that Glass live with his mother in Hackett, report daily to police, and observe a curfew.
But prosecutor Nathan Deakes argued that no bail conditions could alleviate the risks of Glass committing offences and failing to attend court.
He said Glass had a significant criminal history that included similar offending, as well as eight instances of failing to appear in court.
The prosecutor said despite Glass being subject to good behaviour orders, the man found himself facing more charges in an indication he would not abide by court orders.
Mr Deakes said while some of CCTV images showed a masked burglar, there were also some in which Glass, wearing the same clothing on each occasion, had been captured looking directly into the cameras.
Magistrate Robert Cook said the allegations levelled at Glass suggested the 37-year-old had taken advantage of COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Cook said Glass had allegedly committed offences during "a period of shutdown in the community", when fewer people were out and about and a variety of businesses were closed.
"But CCTV footage has, of course, been silently running its course and it has done its work for those respective owners [in capturing evidence]," Mr Cook said.
Mr Cook said if Glass was convicted of these charges, he would likely face a custodial sentence and therefore had an incentive not to appear in court.
The magistrate refused bail and remanded Glass in custody to appear in court again on June 3.
