Share of crime spree to cost crim $10,000
HE WASN'T the main offender, but Shane Michael McGlede's participation in five break-and-enters, including two chemist raids, will cost him close to $10,000 in restitution.
McGlede was ordered to pay for the property stolen from his victims and damage caused to vehicles and businesses that he and his co-offenders broke into during a crime spree across Hervey Bay last month.
The 37-year-old was given a suspended jail sentence when he pleaded guilty in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court to five break-ins and the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
McGlede's co-offenders broke into Pialba business Mark Jorgensen Automotive on Islander Rd on the weekend of September 30 and stole a green Holden Commodore.
They then used the vehicle to ram a metal gate at the business.
They picked up McGlede and committed a series of other crimes across town, the court heard.
Police arrested McGlede on October 16 after they found his fingerprint on a bloodied piece of paper left in the stolen Commodore, which was found abandoned on the Esplanade on October 3.
The group had used the stolen vehicle to ram-raid the Burrum Heads Pharmacy, cleaning it out of prescription medication, candles, vases and various other items.
They also hit the River Heads pharmacy the same night, kicking through a window and again taking off with a variety of stock, including prescription medication.
They broke a window and stole three laptops from Fraser Coast Anglican College, with the value totalling $3365.
McGlede had also broken into vehicles at Urangan and Pt Vernon, stealing a TomTom navigation system, a pair of gold earrings, a handbag and cash.
Magistrate Graeme Tatnell said he accepted that McGlede wasn't the main offender and also that he had co-operated with police on his arrest.
The total restitution bill for McGlede came to $9298.60.
He was also sentenced to a two-and-a-half year jail term, fully suspended for five years.
Mr Tatnell warned McGlede not to step out of line during the next five years.
"It's going to be a hard five years ahead," the magistrate said.
"Come back within five years and you'll get no sympathy from the court whatsoever."
