Man smashed door at McDonald’s because he was mad another customer got their order first

Mar 31, 2022

In court: A man who allegedly broke a door at McDonald’s and stole a bag of groceries has applied for bail. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

A man broke a door at a Cobram fast food restaurant because another customer received their order before him, a court has heard.

Aaron Dunbar, 26, of Cobram, successfully applied for bail in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.

Among his charges are criminal damage, theft, two counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail, and contravening a bail condition.

Police informant Detective Senior Constable Rebecca McDonald told the court Mr Dunbar allegedly damaged the door at McDonald’s in Cobram on February 26 after he became enraged that another order was ready before his.

She also told the court Mr Dunbar’s brother was also at McDonald’s at the time in breach of a County Court bail condition of Mr Dunbar’s.

The bail relates to allegations he fired a shot from a gun near a horse before dismantling the gun and throwing it in a ditch.

Det Sen Constable McDonald said Mr Dunbar also stole a bagful of about $50 worth of groceries that had been put down by a customer at BWS liquor store in Cobram on March 1.

The court also heard Mr Dunbar was not at his bail address at his parents’ house when police went looking for him on March 10.

In an interview, Mr Dunbar told police the door flung open and hit him at McDonald’s and that it was “just a coincidence” his brother was in the fast food restaurant at the same time as him, Det Sen Constable McDonald said.

The court was told he also told police he “mistakenly picked up the wrong bag at BWS”.

Det Sen Constable McDonald said police had concerns with Mr Dunbar’s “poor history of complying with County Court bail”, including repeatedly not telling police of a change of address, as well as two counts of failing to appear in court this year and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

She was also concerned about the proposed bail address with his parents who she said had been “unco-operative” when police were looking for him.

Mr Dunbar’s solicitor Julian Lynch said any potential sentence would be likely to be less than time spent on remand, and also that Mr Dunbar’s mother was ill and his partner was pregnant.

Mr Lynch said Mr Dunbar had a cognitive disability, could live with his parents and gain employment, and that COVID-19 could cause further delays in the matter.

He also recommended risks could be mitigated by Mr Dunbar taking part in the court integrated services program, and that he be assessed for alcohol abuse and have a mental health plan drawn up.

Magistrate Peter Mithen bailed Mr Dunbar on conditions including he comply with court integrated services program conditions, live with his parents and abide by a 9pm to 6am curfew.

He will next go before the Cobram Magistrates’ Court in October.