James Edward Svilicich did not enter a plea when he appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday charged with theft.

Mr Svilicich is accused of stealing 49 pairs of designer sunglasses, worth about $19,600, from the Sunglass Hut in Westfield Belconnen on March 13.

A police informant told the court CCTV footage from the store showed the accused, a woman and another man taking the property.

The court heard police raided Mr Svilicich’s Charnwood home a week later and discovered 28 pairs of sunglasses – including brands such as Prada – which matched the stock taken during the theft.

The informant said drug paraphernalia and clothing matching those worn by the defendant while shoplifting was also found at the property.

He said forensic analysis of the seized items had begun.

Investigations into the remaining 21 sunglasses continue.

The informant said police believe the crime was carried out in order to fund a drug habit and held concerns that the defendant could reoffend if granted bail.

He told the court the second man was yet to be located and officers expected to charge the accused’s girlfriend in the future.

Mr Svilicich, who represented himself, applied for bail, offering the court a surety and an undertaking to report to police daily and observe a curfew. But the prosecution opposed the application, citing a risk of reoffending.

Magistrate Bernadette Boss said there was no evidence before the court to show Mr Svilicich would comply with bail conditions. The magistrate denied the application, citing a risk of reoffending, failing to appear and interfering with evidence or witnesses. Mr Svilicich will reappear on May 20.