A MAN accused of stealing $30,000 worth of jewellery from an elderly woman has been remanded in custody.

Father-of-one Peter James Pearson, 28, appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court this morning on eight charges, including break and enter, receiving tainted property, unlawful possession of stolen property as well as obstruct police.

Police will be alleging that Pearson broke into and ransacked the 74-year-old woman's home while she was overseas, sometime between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

A plain clothes police officer spotted Pearson at Hinkler Central Shopping Centre at 2.30pm on Friday, allegedly making an exchange under a table with another person.

It is alleged when police approached Pearson, he began placing items down the front of his pants.

Pearson was arrested and taken to the Bundaberg Watchhouse, where officers allegedly located further jewellery during a search.

The alleged jewellery thief's lawyer, Rian Dwyer, said while his client had "extensive history" it "appears as though his offending stems from drug use".

"If we can control his use of drugs, his offending will stop," Mr Dwyer said.

He told Magistrate Deb Vasta that his client should be granted bail on the condition that he report daily to police and be on a 24-hour curfew, residing at his mother's house in Monto.

"My submission is if Your Honour puts that in place, his ability to access drugs will be greatly reduced," Mr Dwyer said.

Mrs Vasta said she had "no doubt" drugs were the problem for Pearson.

"But I don't think there is any way to prevent you from not using drugs except to (remand you in custody)," she said.

The magistrate remanded Pearson in custody, to reappear by videolink at 11.30am on September 3.