Blackbutt woman jailed for role in crime spree causing $88K in damages

In one shocking incident a chain was wrapped around a car wash pay machine and dragged through the street behind a stolen car, causing $40,000 worth of damage.

A Blackbutt woman has been jailed for her role in an $88,000 crime spree that spanned a month and saw a car torched and a stolen cash machine dragged down a road.

Jasmyn Jan Strokarck pleaded guilty in the Kingaroy District Court to six charges, including two counts of entering a premises and stealing, two counts of unlawfully using a motor vehicle, wilful damage and fraud.

Crown Prosecutor Christa Nicola told the court Strokarck and two men kicked off the spree when they entered a residential shed on April 11, where they stole tools and a Toyota HiLux worth $48,000.

The stolen car was found burned in a forest a couple of weeks later, flipped over with its wheels removed and a jerry can nearby.

One of the co-offenders was later sentenced for the arson of the HiLux.

The offending escalated two days later when Strokarck and a co-offender used a stolen blue Ford Falcon in an attempt to steal a payment machine from a Caboolture car wash.

“(The co-offender) exited the car and used a drill to unscrew an automatic payment machine at the car wash,” Ms Nicola said.

“(He) wrapped a chain around the cash machine, attached the chain to the back of the car and then entered the car and drove away.

“The crown proceeds on the basis that (the co-offender) caused damage to the concrete at the car wash and the damage to the cash machine, but (Strokarck) is liable as a party to the damage caused to the cash machine and concrete at the car wash.

“My understanding is she was present at the time and assisted (him). She attempted to lift the cash machine into the back of the car, but was unable to do so.”

The company suffered a loss of $40,000.

Ms Nicola said it was accepted Strokarck’s involvement in this offending was not as significant as her co-offender.

The final charge relates to Strokarck driving off without paying for $56 worth of fuel.

Defence lawyer Robert Glenday said his client was trying to break a longstanding ice addiction but was struggling to get clean.

“It's very clear she’s got a drug addiction. She’s had a drug addiction for the last 10 years, mainly ice,” Mr Glenday said.

“She‘s got a problem. It’s not for the lack of wanting. Her head is telling her she wants to stop, but her body is not doing it.”

Mr Glenday asked Judge Glen Cash to consider placing the 31-year-old on immediate parole so she could focus on getting off drugs.

Judge Cash said although Strokarck ‘s role in the crime spree was less significant than her co-offenders, actual time behind bars was the only appropriate penalty.

Strokarck was sentenced to two years’ jail, with her parole release date set for January 18, 2022.