Allansford teen, 19, released on bail charged with vehicle thefts

Kobe Reed, 19, successfully applied for bail in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday charged with theft and a range of driving offences.

Magistrate John Bentley granted bail until August 21, when Mr Reed has other matters listed to be heard in court.

His strict bail conditions include that Mr Reed obey an 8pm to 7am overnight curfew, that he not drive, not take illicit drugs, not go within 200 metres of a farm where he previously worked and comply with his current community corrections order.

Mr Bentley warned Mr Reed if he breached his bail he would be remanded in custody.

"You need to listen very carefully. If you stuff up you're in custody for a long time," he said.

"You'll be at home where your Mum can keep an eye on you. I hope for your sake that your mother has Netflix.

"The police can check any time during curfew hours and if you do not appear you will be back in the cells."

Police prosecutor Sergeant Angela Fitzgerald opposed bail saying Mr Reed was an unacceptable risk of continuing to offend.

She said he was already on an 18-month community corrections order for quite a few matters, including breaching court orders, breaching bail and unlawful assault.

The police officer said that Mr Reed had also appeared in court previously for distributing child abuse material and using a carriage service to harass.

Sergeant Fitzgerald said the new charges related to events at the weekend.

She said Mr Reed told police he obtained six unknown white pills and he took two while out on Friday night.

He then took the last four pills while waiting for his mother to come and pick him up, arriving home in Allansford at 5.20am.

Police allege that Mr Reed then walked to the farming property where he worked 850 metres from his home, where it's alleged he stole a 250cc red Honda quad bike.

The farm workers took photos of footprints from where the quad bike was stolen which matched the boots Mr Reed was wearing when he was arrested.

There were also tracks where Mr Reed is alleged to have performed two donuts on the bike while heading back to his home.

The farm workers soon after found that a 2020 Toyota HiLux was missing.

Police were called and when they arrived it was found that someone had entered a Toyota Kluger and snapped the key off in the ignition.

Sergeant Fitzgerald said that wires were also exposed, making it look like someone had tried to hot wire start the Kluger.

It was alleged that Mr Reed knew that the keys to the Kluger were hidden under a mat and a mobile phone had also been taken from the office.

Mr Reed was arrested at 8.30am Sunday, when police obtained his mobile phone and its PIN.

Officers found three Snapchats on the phone.

At 6.31am Saturday at Mepunga West a there was a recording taken while it's alleged Mr Reed was driving at more than 160km/h when travel around a corner on the wrong side of the road across double lines.

At 8.47am there was a second recording at Mortlake while he was driving at more than 150km/h.

A third recording was taken at 10.59am at Willatook when it's alleged Mr Reed was seated behind the steering wheel.

That's where the vehicle was located and GPS data confirmed Mr Reed's phone was at the Cobden-Warrnambool Road early that morning.

A witness told police he located Mr Reed in the Toyota HiLux , which had suffered a smashed front end and two flat tyres.

The magistrate said it appeared to be a strong police case.

Sergeant Fitzgerald said farm workers feared for their safety and Mr Bentley said that if Mr Reed "did anything silly he will be locked up for a very long time".

UPDATED - Monday

IN OTHER NEWS

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.