Police & Court
Alleged crime spree included trying to break into a gun safe and threatening two people
A man facing a string of charges over an alleged crime spree, including ones for attempting to break into a gun safe during a burglary on a Shepparton house, and threatening to kill two people, has applied for bail in court.
William McGee, 32, of Kialla, was granted bail in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.
He is charged with four counts of burglary, attempting to commit an indictable offence by stealing a firearm, three counts of intentionally damaging property, two counts of making threats to kill and 11 counts of theft.
Mr McGee is also charged with attempting to commit an indictable offence by theft, recklessly causing injury, two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of assault, two counts of unlawful assault, wilful damage, possessing a controlled weapon, and two counts of theft of a vehicle.
Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Geordie Thomas told the court Mr McGee was allegedly involved in an assault at a Shepparton motel on June 27.
Police allege Mr McGee hit another resident of the motel in the head with a metal chair.
In a separate incident on July 11, Mr McGee is accused of a carjacking after a road rage incident.
Det Sen Constable Thomas said the driver of a Toyota Camry flashed their headlights at the Kia SUV McGee was in, as it was driving slowly in Tallygaroopna.
After the Camry overtook the Kia, the Kia tail-gated it and was brake-checked by the Camry.
The Kia then overtook the Camry and the two vehicles stopped in Wunghnu.
The driver of the Camry got out of his car and asked “what’s your problem?” before Mr McGee got out of the car swinging a machete in a threatening manner and said “f*** it, let’s take his car”, before stealing the Camry, Det Sen Constable Thomas said.
The court was told the Kia had also been reported as stolen after Mr McGee’s partner’s mother hired it on July 4, and said Mr McGee stole it later.
Mr McGee is accused of stealing petrol four times from service stations in Shepparton and Kialla on July 12, 15 and 20.
He is also accused of stealing an air compressor, chains and ropes from a ute in Tatura on July 14, and tools from a trailer in Kialla on July 16.
Det Sen Constable Thomas said police allege Mr McGee and two others stole about 250 packets of cigarettes, valued at $10,000, after breaking into Metro Fuel service station in Tatura about 1.10am on July 20.
He also alleged that about 7.15am the same day, Mr McGee went to the Shepparton house of a man he was “having a dispute with” and took out what a woman at the house said was a “40cm long, black and brown coloured firearm” and pointed it towards the pair and told them he’s “got a gun and was going to kill them”, Det Sen Constable Thomas said.
Police also allege Mr McGee and two unidentified other people stole $600 from the Strathmerton bakery at 1.30am on July 22.
The court was told it is alleged Mr McGee and two others broke into the Numurkah Golf and Bowls Club about 2am the same day and stole $940 in cash after forcing open several gaming machines.
Mr McGee was arrested on July 23 when a person rang police about loud noises in Lake St, Shepparton, about 2.30am, as well as reporting a car parked in Victoria St where the driver was beeping the horn and flashing high-beam lights.
Mr McGee’s partner was found in the driver’s seat of the car, and Mr McGee was found nearby in Lake St.
Det Sen Constable Thomas said police found a gun safe in a shed in Lake St that had substantial damage from an attempt to force it open.
The officer opposed bail, saying police were “highly concerned” that acts of violence would occur towards innocent people or the family Mr McGee was having a dispute with.
Mr McGee’s solicitor Emma King said her client knew the charges he faced were serious, but said there were triable issues — particularly in respect of the allegation he threatened the people with a gun.
“He strongly denies the firearm,” Ms King said.
She also said more forensic evidence was needed about the attempted theft of the firearms.
Mr McGee also denied the alleged assault at the motel.
Ms King said Mr McGee also had an appointment with a doctor about a hernia in August.
Magistrate David Faram granted bail, saying that while there were risks, he felt they could be ameliorated by strict conditions, which included reporting to police twice a week, not driving, and abiding by a 10pm to 6am curfew.