Geelong ‘crime ring’ case: More charges

KIM WATERS
POLICE have laid fresh charges against two men allegedly involved in a “very well-organised” drug and burglary ring in Geelong, a court heard this week.
Craig Doherty, 39, of Francis Street, Belmont, and Ryan Stalker, 30, of Ormond Road, East Geelong, fronted Geelong Magistrates court on Wednesday over an alleged series of “large scale” burglaries.
The court heard the crimes netted their group more than $200,000 in stolen goods.
Magistrate Ian von Einem adjourned both cases for a month so lawyers could go through the new charges.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Beard said Stalker faced 66 more charges of burglary, theft and handling stolen goods.
He was already facing 12 charges, the court heard.
Police could charge Doherty with an unknown number of offences on top of his previous charges of burglary, handling stolen goods and trafficking amphetamines.
Doherty told the court he would apply for bail once he had received a police brief of his new charges.
Two other men allegedly involved in the crime ring, Jason Davison, 34, of Burdoo Road, Grovedale and Tim Innes, 28, of Ferguson Street, Leopold, also had their cases adjourned.
Both men faced counts of trafficking and possessing the proceeds of crime, among other charges.
The Independent reported earlier this month that police arrested the four men as part of an “extensive investigation” into a Geelong drug trafficking operation.
Police Senior Constable James Constance said police executed a search warrant at Davison’s Grovedale home on May 25, seizing items including 65 grams of amphetamines.
Police believed the group was responsible for a series of large-scale burglaries on commercial premises, he said.