Two Cowes men charged with stealing $650,000 in 19 separate robberies across Phillip Island and South Gippsland have successfully appealed for bail to the Supreme Court.
Joshua and Taylor Savage were remanded in custody following their appearance at the Wonthaggi Magistrates Court on August 14.
At the time, the judge described them as an unacceptable risk to the community.
Lawyers for the two men appeared before Justice Coghlan at the Supreme Court on September 28 to appeal for bail. Police did not oppose the application.
The Supreme Court rejected the earlier ruling that the men posed an unacceptable risk.
Both were granted bail without having to provide a deposit or surety, but under a series of conditions.
These include:
- Not changing address without the leave of the court
- Adhering to a nightly curfew between 10pm and 6am each day
- Answering the door to police during the curfew hours if called on
- Not travelling around Bass Coast or South Gippsland shires unless permitted by police
- Abstaining from consuming any drug of dependence
- Providing oral fluid for testing if required by police
- Having no contact – directly or indirectly – with any witness for the prosecution
- Not leaving Victoria
- Surrendering any passports and not applying for another
- Not going to any points of international departure.
Both were ordered to attend the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on January 7, 2021.
The brothers were arrested during dramatic early-morning raids in Cowes last month.
Police seized cash, jewellery, a boat, motorbike, jetski and four vehicles.
At the time, Detective Peter Johnston of the Bass Coast Crime Investigation Unit said the assets recovered had been purchased from safes stolen at the 19 burglaries that occurred over a six month period.
The brothers targeted small business operators, following them home and then removing safes containing cash and valuables when the victims were away from home.
For more local news, subscribe to our digital edition.
