Boy who stole machetes had a ‘fascination’ with knives, court hears

He is facing charges including three counts of burglary, attempted burglary, two counts of shop theft and possessing a controlled weapon.

A police officer told the court the boy attempted to break into Anaconda in Shepparton on Tuesday, July 25.

He hit a fire extinguisher with a knife and kicked open the airlock entrance to the store, but was unsuccessful in getting in, the officer said.

The court heard on Friday, July 28, he stole a fishing knife from Anaconda.

The following night, the court heard, he broke into the same store, before using a hammer to smash a glass cabinet and steal three machetes and a knife, worth $316.

The court also heard that the boy had several outstanding matters for which he was already on bail, which included him allegedly pulling a knife from his pants and threatening a store manager at Kmart who was checking the bags of another person he was with on May 20.

Police allege on May 30 the boy also assaulted a man outside a Melbourne city pub, by punching him in the face.

The following day, police allege the boy and three or four others demanded two people hand over their phones. The boy was armed with a knife and threatened to stab the alleged victims, police say.

Police also allege the same boy smashed a glass door at Chemist Warehouse in central Shepparton when he was requested to leave on May 4, while on July 2, he and a co-accused were charged after allegedly forcing entry to Shepparton business WB Hunter and stealing a computer.

When the boy was arrested at his Shepparton home, he allegedly had a machete in the waistband of his pants.

The officer opposed bail, telling the court police were concerned the boy would endanger the safety and welfare of other people, continue to commit offences, and was a flight risk, as he told police he planned to catch a bus to Adelaide and not appear on bail.

The officer also told the court police found disturbing videos and photos on the boy’s phone of killing and mutilations by knives.

The court heard the boy also told police he “enjoys his current lifestyle and doesn’t want to change” and that he had a “fascination with knives”.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for a 17-year-old to have a machete,” the officer said.

The boy’s solicitor said the boy was young, had no priors in Victoria, it was his first time in custody and Rumbalara was willing to engage with him.

The magistrate bailed the boy on conditions he live in Shepparton, does not leave Victoria, abide by a 9pm to 6am curfew, not possess any weapons, and obey directions of Rumbalara staff.