Luke Robert Crisp sentenced in Townsville District Court following $57k+ stealing, break and enter spree

Stolen items were discovered hidden in a man’s ceiling cavity by police after he targeted a string of Townsville construction and hardware businesses. Here’s everything he was busted with.

Luke Robert Crisp sentenced in Townsville District Court following $57k+ stealing, break and enter spree. Picture: generic

A serial offender heavily sobbed in court as he faced a real possibility of being locked up after committing a reckless stealing spree that saw Townsville construction and hardware businesses targeted.

Luke Robert Crisp appeared in Townsville District Court on Monday after police found he had caused more than $57,000 total in damages and stolen property during a crime spree.

Crown prosecutor Terence McCosker said the thefts started on April 3 in 2022 when a man realised his Toyota Hilux had gone missing, and Mr Crisp was seen driving in it a day later.

Following the initial ute theft, the 40-year-old broke the locks of two shipping containers at a construction compound and broke into a demountable by removing the door from its hinges and stealing the keys to two trucks, the court was told.

Mr McCosker said Crisp stole tools and items from the trucks as well as a Holden Rodeo totalling to $31,500 of property stolen or damaged.

Later that same morning, the man broke into a house that was under construction and stole tools, a glass door, a laser and tool boxes.

Less than a month on, Crisp used a crowbar to break into SuperCheap Auto in Deeragun and stole $2820 worth of items, then he hit up a Total Tools business and stole $12,000 in stock.

The crown told the court that police executed a search warrant for the man’s home and found he had hidden the items in a ceiling cavity, they also found a bum bag with items related to breaking and entering.

“The offences seemed to be planned as face coverings and gloves were worn at all break and enters,” Mr McCosker said.

“The total damage caused was $57,482.93.”

He shared that Crisp had a 14-page criminal history which consisted of him being sentenced for 29 enter premises charges, 15 stealing charges, 11 enter dwellings and 21 unlawful use of motor vehicle charges.

Defence barrister Darin Honchin instructed by Stevenson and McNamara Lawyers highlighted that the man had been on “strict bail conditions” for the last seven months which included the man using an ankle tracker and had since gained employment for a cleaning company in Brisbane.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren acknowledged the man’s efforts however questioned why the man should not be going to jail given his history.

“He’s caused a lot of grief to other people in the community,” she said.

“He’s just been given opportunity after opportunity and he keeps doing it.”

Mr Honchin argued that his client was committed to his rehabilitation.

Crisp started sobbing loudly while standing in the dock as Her Honour advised the man he was missing out on significant years of his daughter’s life by committing further crimes.

“One might say you’re wreaking havoc and doing harm to other people,” she said.

“Not only are you hurting members of the community but you’re hurting those closest to you.”

Crisp pleaded guilty to 21 charges including breaking and entering, unlawful use of a motor vehicle with intent to commit, possessing items related to breaking and entering, possessing drugs, driving unlicenced and receiving tainted property.

Judge Rosengren declared the 543 days the man had spent in pre-sentence custody as time served.

He was sentenced to five years’ jail suspended after serving 543 days for an operational period of five years and disqualified from driving for two years.

Originally published as Luke Robert Crisp sentenced in Townsville District Court following $57k+ stealing, break and enter spree