A Canberra scaffolder has been granted bail just in time for Christmas, more than three months since his arrest for a burglary spree.
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Dale Mitchell Goesch fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday via audio-visual link from the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
The 29-year-old previously pleaded guilty to seven charges, all of which stem from a string of offences committed in Canberra's inner-south on August 26 this year.
A police statement of allegations tendered at Goesch's first bail application said the first crime happened early that morning, when a Red Hill woman came home from a jog and told her husband she thought there was someone in the house.
The back door was open and, when the couple went to investigate, they saw the man's Mercedes being reversed out the garage.
The driver - Goesch, according to the documents - crashed into the doorway of the garage before the car's owner said, "What are you doing?".
The documents said Goesch got out of the car, punched the man in the head, and ran off before the man and his neighbour gave chase.
They said that, during the pursuit, a gun fell out of the back of Goesch's pants. He went back to pick it up and, when a dog-walker saw and yelled, "He's got a gun", the man and his neighbour stopped the chase.
The documents said Goesch was spotted loitering on a woman's property later that morning - she told someone on the phone, "There is a strange man in my backyard" - and later looked as if he was going to open another woman's front door before he realised she was watching him.
Police were called to a Griffith house about 8.40am to investigate an open gate and a bike left out the front, and later sighted Goesch sitting on a park bench at Manuka.
When officers shouted at Goesch to stay where he was, the 29-year-old ran off again, dodging cars in the McDonald's drive-through and ultimately getting apprehended in a loading dock at the rear of the restaurant, where he tried to conceal a hand gun behind bins.
The documents said police searched Goesch and found him in possession of a screwdriver, two phones, an iPad, four rings, more than $400 in cash and several keys, including car keys.
A man later complained to police he'd also been burgled that morning.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston will sentence Goesch for the several offences - including two counts of burglary and one count of unauthorised possession of a prohibited firearm - on January 20.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
