A couple entered a Wollongong construction site to black out CCTV cameras to only return to the scene three days later to steal items from the office, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bruce Lee Tille, 42, and Dawn Ede, 40, allegedly stole or damaged more than $12,000 worth of property from the Atchinson Street complex.
Police allege they used the public holidays when there would be no activity at the site to carry out the theft.
Their actions were allegedly captured on high-quality, clear surveillance cameras.
The couple will spend the new year apart after they appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Friday where Tille was refused bail but Ede was granted release.
In documents tendered to court, police allege Tille and Ede entered the commercial and residential unit complex, which is currently being built by MODCO Construction, shortly before 1am on Christmas.
CCTV allegedly captured their clothing, Tille's distinctive Southern Cross facial tattoo and Ede' pink hair and tattoos.
The footage allegedly showed them walking along the corridors before Tille used a spray can to blur out camera lens.
They allegedly damaged about 12 cameras to the value of $2400 before they left via the basement car park.
The pair then allegedly returned to the construction site about 1am on December 28, and were seen on CCTV in the basement car park.
They allegedly took the lift to level 18 where they were seen trying to enter the MODCO office.
The pair allegedly try to jimmy open the glass door before Tille smashed a hole in the window so Ede could enter before she unlocked the door.
They allegedly stole testing instruments, a small back pack, laptop, Makita tool bag and batteries before they returned to lift and left via the car park.
The complex manager arrived at work the next morning, allegedly finding the property damaged and noticed items were missing before contacting police.
Officers viewed the CCTV footage and were allegedly able to identify Tille and Ede through their tattoos and hair.
On Thursday morning, Tille and Ede were arrested at a Bligh Street, Wollongong unit. Tille led officers to his garage, showing them the allegedly stolen tool bag and laptop, which were seized.
Tille and Ede were taken to Wollongong Police Station where they were charged with entering a dwelling with intent to damage property and aggravated break and enter to and commit a serious indictable offence.
MODCO is seeking $12,4000 in compensation.
In court on Friday, police prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Ryan did not opposed Ede being released from custody.
She was granted bail to live in Wollongong, report to police three times a week, must abide by a nighttime curfew and not contact Tille.
She will return to court on January 11.
Sgt Ryan said the prosecution case against Tille was strong and he was facing a full-time custodial sentence if convicted due to his long criminal history for similar crimes.
Defence lawyer Emel Ozer said Tille could report daily, would be a vulnerable person in custody and had been in and out of jail for most of his adult life.
She also said he was trying to address his mental health issues and had taken steps to rehabilitate himself since being released to parole.
However, Tille was refused bail and he will return to court on January 10.
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.