Two cousins accused of breaking into a caravan in Warilla and stealing a disabled man's motorised scooter while he was asleep will remain behind bars together after they were both refused court bail on Sunday.
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Police will allege Melissa and Tracey Butler, aged 39 and 35 respectively, were caught on CCTV cameras entering the Lake Windemere Caravan Park on Osborne Parade just before 3am on July 1 and heading towards one of the site's permanent caravans.
The pair allegedly entered the van through a closed but unlocked door. While inside, they allegedly stole the keys to the scooter from a hook near the door and a wallet from the sleeping victim's right pocket.
The pair then walked into the carport, started the victim's motorised scooter and drove off on it, police claim. They allegedly threw the victim's wallet in a bin as they left.
Both women were arrested at a home in Barrack Heights on Saturday and charged with aggravated break, enter and steal.
During an interview with police, Melissa Butler claimed she and Tracey had travelled through the caravan park as a shortcut to her aunt's place and the scooter had been outside her aunt's house when they arrived.
She admitted her DNA and fingerprints would be on the scooter, saying both women took turns riding the scooter before leaving it at the home.
Butler claimed her aunt and her ex-partner's new girlfriend had set her up and were "working together to wreck her life".
Police opposed release applications made on behalf of both Butler women in court on Sunday, citing their lengthy criminal histories and the serious nature of the offence.
The court heard Melissa Butler was already on bail for seven separate matters at the time of the alleged offence.
She had also failed to report to police as per her bail conditions on Friday.
The registrar refused to release either woman, saying neither had shown why their ongoing detention was not justified. The cases will return to court on Monday.
