A Unanderra man will front court on Monday after being refused bail on Sunday over allegations he and two mates broke into a mine shaft along Picton Road and tried to steal copper cabling.
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Police allege Martin Bayliss and two co-accused cut away pieces of tin housing BHP Billiton's No 3 mine shaft at Cataract in the early hours of Sunday and cut copper cabling used to power the motors for the elevator shaft.
It is alleged the trio used the stairwell to go to each level of the building and cut away the cabling in sections, allowing for it to be easily removed.
Their alleged plan was thwarted, however, when an internal alarm was triggered and the group fled, leaving behind a blue sports bag containing large wire cutters, bolt cutters and a mobile phone, which contained photos of Bayliss.
Police who arrived at the site about 4.30am said they saw three men wearing dark clothing, beanies and head lamps run into nearby bushland.
Officers followed them for about 20 metres until the trio fell down an embankment, then ran further into the bush.
Police didn't follow the men out of safety concerns, but continued to patrol Picton Road for the next three hours.
Shortly after 7.30am, officers picked up one of the alleged co-offenders walking along the roadway.
He claimed his girlfriend had kicked him out of the car after they'd had a fight. However, he was unable to tell police the woman's name, the type of car she was driving or her mobile number.
Meantime, police patrolling another area of Picton Road came across Bayliss and another man, who was lying on a concrete block with apparent injuries.
The trio was arrested, and the injured man was taken to Wollongong Hospital for treatment.
Bayliss was charged with break and enter and trespass offences.
In court on Sunday, Legal Aid solicitor Sally McLaughlin conceded Bayliss had a long criminal history, however, noting the nature of the offending had been less serious than his current charges.
She said Bayliss would agree to live with his parents, report to police daily and abide by a curfew if released on bail.
Registrar Nicole Hoffmann denied the bid, noting Bayliss was already wanted on an outstanding warrant after failing to appear in court on a prior occasion.
