Brent Gary Fiedler pleads guilty to break-in, drugs

A 42-year-old crash survivor has been busted for drugs and stealing thousands of dollars worth of antiques.

Brent Gary Fiedler pleaded guilty to a break-in and multiple drug charges.

A 42-year-old Wondai dad had a “moment of madness” when he decided to break into Tillo’s Antiques, Collectables and Secondhand store and steal $2060 worth of antique items before being caught by police, a court heard.

Brent Gary Fiedler pleaded guilty to one count of committing an indictable offence by break-in, three drug related charges and one count of breaching bail when he faced Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said on August 28, 2023, police were driving up McKenzie St in Wondai when they spotted Fiedler riding a push bike and turning into the RSL car park.

“They then saw Mr Fiedler trying to hide against the wall,” Sergeant Stevens said.

He said when police approached Fiedler they saw he had three bags containing various antique items with price tags on them.

They also found a “used glass pipe,” the court heard.

Brent Gary Fiedler pleaded guilty to a break-in and multiple drug charges.

Sgt Stevens said after police took Fielder to the watch house, he admitted to breaking into the store and stealing items.

“The defendant admitted to police he had moved panelling on the side of the shop to crawl underneath the premises and access the side door,” Sgt Stevens said.

He also admitted to using the glass pipe to “smoke meth,” the court heard.

Fiedler’s lawyer, Colin Murray from Murray Law said the break in was a “moment of madness”.

“He had an argument with his partner over money, he took off … he found an opportunity to break into the old antique store.

“He foolishly took a number of small items … they have all been returned,” Mr Murray said.

A month after the break-in on September 16, police stopped Fiedler and found 1.28 grams of cannabis in his vehicle.

Then on January 8, 2024 police executed a search warrant on Fiedler’s address in Wondai and found drug utensils including glass ice pipes and scales with weights in his bedroom.

Tillo’s Antiques, Collectables and Secondhand store in Wondai.

Mr Murray explained the hardships Fiedler had experience in the past decade.

“Up until 10 years ago he was gainfully employed, unfortunately he was in a very serious (truck) accident in his early 30s … he was lucky to survive,” Mr Murray said.

“He had nine vertebrae crushed, he’s lost five centimetres of his height, 13 ribs broken, his head was crushed. He spent many months through physio where he had to learn to walk again.”

Mr Murray told the caught Fiedler is a dad of a 16 month old and also helps take care of his partners children aged three and 11 years old.

“Up until very recently he has never really had any issues with substance misuse but since forming his relationship with his current partner who has had a history of substance misuse, he has dabbled in various substance abuse including ice and cannabis,” Mr Murray said.

Mr Murray said Fielder has struggled financially, struggles with anxiety and depression and is seeing a psychiatrist.

He also told the court Fiedler and his partner are both seeking counselling for their drug use.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair called the offending “very serious.”

“People work hard to accumulate their property,” Mr Sinclair said.

He sentenced Fiedler to six months imprisonment but was released on parole with strict conditions.

“I will set your parole release date as today … if for any reason probation and parole are unhappy with your performance they can send you straight to prison,” Mr Sinclair said.