John Theodore Reece fled Queen’s Arms hotel in Uber after stealing $55k

A former Gold Coast man broke into a pub in an affluent part of southeast Queensland and stole more than $55,000 – in an “inside job” – before fleeing in an Uber.

A FORMER Gold Coast man broke into a southeast Queensland pub and stole more than $55,000 – in an “inside job” – to help pay a mate’s drug debt before fleeing in an Uber.

John Theodore Reece had been provided a security code for the “inside job” break-in.

He received $5000 in payment for the job.

The stone mason was originally told there would be $100,000 in the safe for him to steal.

The 30-year-old is the only one who has been caught in relation to the burglary at the Queens Arms Hotel, Fortitude Valley on November 5, 2019.

Reece pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Monday to multiple charges including breaking and entering, enter premises to commit an indictable offence and drug-related charges.

The Queen's Arms.

Judge Deborah Richards sentenced Reece to four years prison to be eligible for parole in July next year.

He has already spent 100 days behind bars.

“You were clearly the hired help as it were in relation to what was obviously a planned robbery, probably an inside job because you were given access codes so that you could get in,” Judge Richards said.

She described the theft as “professional, sophisticated and very serious”.

Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook said CCTV spotted Reece trying to enter a code into the security system at the hotel on November 4 last year and leaving when that did not work.

He returned the next night and this time the security code did work.

Mr Cook said Reece then went to the safe and took out more than $55,000 meant for the pokies, cash registers and ATMs.

Reece then left in an Uber.

About two weeks later Reece was arrested in Labrador when he got into an argument with his now ex-partner.

Mr Cook said Reece told police he had been provided a security code by a group of people who gave him $5000.

Reece told police he expected to find $100,000 in the safe.

Defence barrister Angus Edwards, instructed by Sans Law, said Reece had a drug problem at the time and his best friend owed the men a drug debt.

He said the friend had gone into hiding but Reece was targeted as the “next best thing” which is why he agreed to do the break-in.

Mr Edwards said the time in custody allowed Reece to sober up and provide a letter of apology to the court.

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Originally published as John Theodore Reece fled Queen’s Arms hotel in Uber after stealing $55k