Sledgehammer used to break into ATMs

Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Senior Constable Harrison Davis outlined the many incidents police allege Mr Buovac was involved in.

These included allegedly using a sledgehammer to break open an ATM at the Ampol service station in Nagambie and stealing $6900 after he had broken into the store shortly before 4.15am on August 6 last year.

Sen Constable Davis also alleged Mr Buovac and a co-accused also broke into Ritchies IGA supermarket in Tatura and used a sledgehammer to break the ATM and steal $27,100 at 5am the same day.

Mr Buovac is charged with seven counts of burglary, aggravated burglary, attempted burglary and eight counts of theft.

He is also charged with failing to stop on police direction, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, retention of stolen goods, trafficking methamphetamines, two counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail, driving while disqualified, speeding, drug-driving, going equipped to steal and possessing a prescription drug.

Mr Buovac is accused of breaking into Amart Furniture in Shepparton and unsuccessfully trying to force a safe open on June 2, 2024.

Sen Constable Davis alleged Mr Buovac broke into a house on Ross Alan Dve in Shepparton on June 12 and stole $4800 worth of jewellery.

Police allege Mr Buovac also stole four motorbikes and motorbike apparel from a shed in Toolamba between July 8 and 10, 2024.

The court was also told Mr Buovac and a co-accused broke the front window at Artavilla Emporium in Cobram on July 23, but were unable to get into the building.

The same night the pair drove a stolen ute through the front window of Sportfirst in Numurkah where they stole $3800 in clothing.

The court was told that on August 4, Buovac and a co-accused allegedly drove a stolen Nissan Pulsar into the front door on the IGA supermarket in Nathalia at 3am, causing $6000 in damage.

About two hours later, police allege Mr Buovac broke into FoodWorks supermarket in Numurkah and stole $36,000 worth of cigarettes.

During the police search of Mr Buovac’s home on August 6, police found more than 170 packets of cigarettes and 61 tobacco pouches police say was from FoodWorks at Numurkah, and two motorbikes stolen from Toolamba, as well as $17,500, which police allege was part of the money stolen from one of the ATM thefts.

Power tools, unopened landscaping and gardening tools, including chainsaws, pruners and blowers, unopened electrical goods and sealed plastic bags containing coins police say were stolen in burglaries and thefts were also seized.

The keys to a Mazda BT50 stolen from Girgarre East were also found in the house, while the vehicle was found in the garage of a nearby empty house.

Sen Constable Davis also told the court Mr Buovac had been on bail for a number of other matters.

These included allegedly stealing two bottles of cologne, worth $320, from Chemist Warehouse at Kialla on August 27, 2023, and driving on a suspended licence on August 22, 2023.

Sen Constable Davis said he also allegedly broke into RX Electrical and Data in Shepparton on February 3, 2024, and stole a number of power tools, a generator and keys. When he was arrested, he allegedly had tools in his backpack to assist with breaking in, as well as keys that had been taken from the building.

He is charged with drug trafficking in 2023.

On October 1, 2023, Mr Buovac allegedly broke into a residential property at Caniambo and stole security cameras, power tools and other tools worth $5900.

He also allegedly stole a scanner and printer, worth $5500, from TJ’s supermarket in Nathalia, and was caught speeding and drug driving in 2023.

In June 2024 he was charged with drug-driving and other matters, while six days later he was again caught drug-driving.

Mr Redwood argued that his client should be bailed because residential rehabilitation was imperative to help him stop his drug habit.

“He wants to change, but he’s in the grips of addiction,” Mr Redwood said.

Mr Redwood also said Mr Buovac had a “motivation to turn his life around” as he was now a father to a baby born about three weeks ago.

However, Sen Constable Davis told the court he had issues with Mr Buovac being bailed to do residential rehabilitation at The Cottage in Shepparton, as he could leave the facility whenever he wanted to.

Magistrate Peter Dunn refused bail, saying exceptional circumstances had not been made out for him to be granted bail.

“He’s prolific in his offending,” he said.

“From August 2023 to August 2024 he’s run riot in his behaviours.

“These are serious (charges). These are commercial burglaries, and in my view, will see a substantial term of imprisonment.”

Mr Buovac will next appear in court in February.