A SYDNEY man charged with breaking into a Nowra CBD coffee shop in the early hours of May 5 has been refused bail.
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Steven James Fraser, also known as Parker, 47, appeared in Nowra Local Court charged with entering enclosed lands, goods in custody suspected of being stolen, receiving stolen property, possessing housebreaking implements, possessing means of disguising his face, breaking and entering and being in custody of a knife in a public place.
Nowra police were investigating a number of break-ins at businesses in Berry and Junction streets in the Nowra CBD around 5.30am on Friday, May 5 when they found Fraser walking in nearby parkland. A search found a knife in his jacket.
Police allege around 5.10am Fraser used a small crowbar to gain access to the Poppies Coffee Shop in Berry Street, Nowra.
It is alleged Fraser levered open the doors before going inside and stealing property.
Police found a car parked nearby with an alleged female co-accused sitting in the front seat.
Police searched the vehicle and allegedly found a black backpack belonging to Fraser.
Inside were several screwdrivers, a hammer, gate entry keys, pliers, side cutters, a lock picking set, black gloves and a black face disguise. They also found a crowbar in the rear of the car.
The woman was allegedly found with a hand held walkie talkie in the centre console of the car, which she claimed was for her children’s sports.
Police suspect she was Fraser’s accomplice and was acting as a spotter.
A handbag found in the car, which the woman admitted was hers, contained various coins and notes of Australian denominations, however she denied they were hers.
Police allegedly found three separate bags of notes and coins totalling $1631, paper from Macey Financial Planners and a further $1400.
Officers also found a tablet style device and CCTV camera recording kit allegedly stolen from the coffee shop.
Footage recovered from the tablet allegedly showed Fraser breaking into the business and taking the equipment and other items.
He did not apply for bail, which was formally refused by Magistrate Gabriel Fleming. He is due to reappear in court on May 22.
The woman has also been charged with a number of offences aad is due to face court on June 26.