$15,000 haul in burglaries

Press, 11 February 1983, Page 5

$15,000 haul in burglaries

An unemployed man who admitted breaking into three properties from which he stole antiques, furniture and alcohol, to a total value of $15,770. was yesterday convicted and remanded in custody- to February 17 for a probation report and sentence. Appearing in the District Court before Judge McAloon was Mark William Smith, aged 22 (Mr C. D. Eason). Sergeant G. G. Cleland said that Smith went to a party in a Peverel Street flat

on February 9. During the night he broke into an adjoining flat from which he took coins, antiques, furniture. and electrical equipment. valued at $14,000. Smith admitted getting in through a window. He told the police that all he got from the sale of the property was $3OO in cash, said Sergeant Cleland. On January 27 Smith smashed a window in the Papanui Tavern bottle store from which he removed cartons of rum and wine, worth

$775. said Sergeant Cleland. Some of the rum was later sold at a party for $5 a bottle. Alcohol, worth $lOO5. was stolen by Smith when he broke into the Richmond Working Men's Club bottle store on January 18. said Sergeant Cleland. Smith, in addition to the three burglaries, admitted and was convicted of stealing tapes and car accessories, valued at $145. from a car on January 27, and with converting a car on January 18.

NO PLEAS A woman charged with stealing a savings bank book, valued at 16 cents, and $450 in cash, was remanded to February 17 on bail of $750. Ricky Bonnici. aged 30. a sickness beneficiary, is also charged with unlawfully taking a $2OOO car. The car. and the property stolen, belonged to Barry John Odering. The offences are said to have taken place on December 30. Bonnici did not plead to the charges.