A former police officer accused of stalking four women by placing Apple AirTag tracking devices on their cars has been refused bail in Melbourne, as investigators examine whether up to 25 other people may have been targeted.
Timothy Wilson, 65, appeared by video link from a police cell at Melbourne’s Bail and Remand Court on Sunday. He faces four stalking charges and weapon offences over alleged incidents involving four young women between June and September.
The women each contacted police after finding an AirTag attached to their vehicle with a magnet and black electrical tape. One device was reportedly discovered by mechanics during a car service.
Prosecutors told the court that a search of Wilson’s home uncovered a bag containing magnets, pieces of black tape and Apple AirTag boxes. Officers also allegedly found a large kitchen knife attached to a curtain rod and knuckle dusters.
Two trail-style cameras, several audio-recording devices, a homemade firearm and an unopened four-pack of AirTags were found in the garage, the court heard.
Police allegedly identified 30 AirTags attached to unknown items and vehicles through devices found at the property. Investigators also discovered diary-style notebooks containing detailed notes about the four alleged victims, their cars and their movements.
A senior constable told the court the notebooks recorded the women’s day-to-day movements, with what police described as evidence that Wilson followed them in his vehicle while also tracking them with the AirTags.
The notebooks allegedly included details of other unidentified people and vehicles, including children’s schools and addresses. Police believe there may be up to a further 25 victims whose vehicles had tracking devices installed and said they would work to identify and notify them.
The prosecution said the four women were living in a state of “constant hypervigilance” and that investigators had not established a motive. It opposed bail on the grounds that Wilson posed a risk to community safety and further offending.
The court was told the risk was heightened by the alleged discovery of a homemade firearm made from steel and attached to a children’s soft-style Nerf gun. Police said it appeared capable of firing a 12-gauge shotgun round.
The prosecutor also alleged that Wilson held a “clear view of corruption” in Victoria Police and the court system.
Wilson’s barrister, Nikhil Sood, said his client denied the allegations and had no previous offending history. He argued there were compelling reasons for bail and said it was “not a certainty” that Wilson would receive a prison sentence if convicted.
Mr Sood described the stalking allegations as “extremely concerning” but said there was “clearly work to do” on the prosecution case. He also said the alleged firearm had been found in pieces and that the defence had received only a photograph of a stack of books, rather than copies of the purported diary entries.
Magistrate Samantha Seoud refused Wilson’s bail application, finding that he presented an unacceptable risk of committing another offence and that his release could endanger another person’s safety or welfare.
Wilson was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court on October 9.
