A TAMWORTH man has been refused bail in court, charged in connection to a ram-raid on a Guyra supermarket in broad daylight and two break-ins where cars were stolen.
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Michael Booby, 23, was arrested hiding in a house in Douglas Street, Armidale, late last week.
He appeared in Armidale Local Court again on Tuesday morning and was refused bail.
Magistrate Michael Holmes ordered him to remain in custody while detectives compile a brief of evidence before the case returns to court in May. He is yet to enter pleas.
After investigations into the ram-raid at Guyra's Spar Supermarket on March 17, and break-ins at two Armidale homes, Armidale detectives and the local Target Action Group (TAG) police pounced on Booby on Friday.
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Officers stormed the house about 2pm, taking the man into custody.
Detectives questioned him and charged him with one count of aggravated break-and-enter on a Gordon Street home the night of March 16 while the residents were home, after which a white Toyota Camry and black Mazda sedan were stolen.
He's also facing a charge of break-and-enter at a McCarthy Crescent home the same night, after which an Audi SUV was taken.
He then faces an additional charge of break-and-enter with intent, accused of the ram-raid of the Guyra supermarket, in the main street, about 7.15am on March 17.
He's been in custody since being refused bail in an out-of-sessions bail hearing in Armidale court on Saturday.
My message to those individuals is that it would be in their best interests to hand themselves in before we come knocking.
- Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty
"The offences involved a significant level of criminality, residents were home during the break-and-enter, their cars were stolen and then used in the commission of other offences, including the ram-raid that involved a large amount of property being damaged," New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty said, following the arrest.
"Detectives have been working hard on this investigation to bring those responsible before the courts, and those inquiries have culminated in this arrest.
"We expect further arrests.
"My message to those individuals is that it would be in their best interests to hand themselves in before we come knocking."