Five ‘robbed’ in half an hour around CBD

HUNT: Police want information on a hoon terrorising Hamlyn Heights.

By PAUL MILLAR

A BEARDED, balding and bootless 27-year-old man appeared briefly in Geelong Magistrates Court yesterday over a spate of alleged robberies in the central city area.
Police charged Michael Goncalves, of no-known abode, with three attempted robberies of five people in a single night this week.
Gonclaves allegedly committed all the robberies over half an hour.
Police arrested Goncalves at a McDonald’s restaurant in Ryrie St early yesterday.
Police alleged he made three demands for money between 11.45pm Wednesday and 12.15am yesterday.
Goncalves allegedly demanded money in James St before moving along to the corner of Malop and Moorabool Sts.
Police alleged that he then made a further demand for cash when he entered a taxi outside a Village cinema complex on Ryrie St.
Goncalves was later arrested a short distance along Ryrie St at the McDonald’s restaurant.
He was wearing a red sweatshirt with Indianapolis emblazoned across the front when he appeared in court yesterday.
Goncalves folded his arms and then plunged them into his pockets during his hearing.
Two guards flanked him throughout his court appearance.
The court was told Goncalves needed urgent medication because he suffered from convulsions and depression.
He did not make an application for bail and was remanded to face the same court on 18 August for a mention hearing.