THE passenger who ran away from New South Wales Police officers during a vehicle stop that resulted in the seizure of the alleged proceeds and guns from a home invasion in South Australia faced Broken Hill Local Court for a bail review on Tuesday, March, 25.
Fifty-year-old Mark Hunt is the third man involved in an alleged home invasion at Yorketown, South Australia in late February.
Following the alleged robbery police claim three men, in two different vans, drove stolen goods to Broken Hill, were they were stopped by police on the morning of Monday, Febuary 24.
Mr Hunt allegedly ran from the scene on the Barrier Highway, with officers spotting him fleeing through a nearby cemetery.
He was later tracked down and apprehended by police on Saturday March, 1, at Sturt Park while having a coffee.
After that, he was taken to Broken Hill Police Station and charged with 15 counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, receiving stolen goods outside NSW, not keeping a firearm safety and possessing a loaded firearm in a public place.
Mr Hunt then attended Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, March 2, and was refused bail.
During this week’s bail review, Mr Hunt’s defence council argued that the prosecution’s case was weak as police didn’t have a good understanding of the assailant’s appearance since they only saw him running through the cemetery.
Mr Hunt’s defence lawyer also said there were no grounds for his client being picked up in the park, that his detention was not justified and that cause had not been shown.
The prosecutor responded that detectives have been working with SA Police, gathering evidence in regards to the identity of the accused and co-accused, including the vehicle Mr Hunt allegedly ran from was seen leaving the Yorketown residence.
Magistrate Jacqueline Trad said although she accepts the case isn’t strong, the accused is on parole in NSW, wanted interstate, and SA authorities are getting ready to extradite him, as well as evidence connecting him to the case.
Ms Trad ruled that Mr Hunt’s bail request was refused.
Mr Hunt, who appeared via video link, became emotional during judge’s decision, yelling and causing his defence team to mute him.
He will appear in Broken Hill Local Court on Tuesday, April 29.
