Tamworth Break-In: DNA and Fingerprint Evidence Leads to Rejected Bail Bid

Strategic Insights -

A bid for release by a 20-year-old man accused of involvement in a break-in at a Tamworth residence, where seven firearms were stolen, has been rejected by a court due to DNA and fingerprint evidence. Connor Cloake was in custody at Tamworth Correctional Centre as Magistrate Julie Soars pored over police facts tendered in court, revealing that Cloake was allegedly with young offenders who broke into the Maralinga Crescent home in the early hours of September 28 last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • DNA matches and fingerprint evidence have allegedly been uncovered by police investigating the break-in, with Cloake's DNA found on a jacket and shoe he was allegedly wearing during the incident.
  • The court heard that police recovered the seven stolen firearms as part of the investigation, and a phone taken in the break-in was also recovered.
  • A knife was found underneath the bed, which officers suspect was similar to the one used in the offending, and fingerprint matches were found for Cloake on a Browning .223 calibre rifle and a Winchester lever action rifle.
  • The prosecution argued that the accused "has a number of breach of bails established on his record" and that an unacceptable risk to community safety exists due to the firearms matter.
  • The defense argued that Cloake had been living in the community since April and had "removed himself from negative peer influences" and offered strict bail conditions to alleviate risks.
  • Cloake's prior record includes offenses such as face blackened by disguises, larceny, and breach of bails, which "raise an extreme fail to appear risk".

Statistics:

  • Seven firearms were stolen during the break-in.
  • Seven counts of possessing an unauthorized firearm and seven counts of using, supplying, or possessing a stolen gun or firearm part have been charged against Cloake.
  • Cloake, aged 20, was allegedly involved in the break-in with three others, aged 13, 14, and 15 at the time.

Sources:

  • Breanna Chillingworth, "Bail bid rejected for man accused of break-in at Tamworth residence where seven firearms were stolen", (no specific date mentioned)
  • Tamworth Local Court records (no specific date mentioned)
  • Australian ABC News (no specific date mentioned)