Adam Wayne Parnell steals $13k worth of tools from tradies’ vans

A concreter who stole $13,000 worth of tools from fellow tradesmen while on meth went to extreme lengths to cover his tracks. But he made a tiny mistake.

A Sunshine Coast tradie who stole more than $13,000 worth of tools from the vans of fellow tradesman was in a “methamphetamine haze” while he committed the crimes, a court has heard.

Adam Wayne Parnell, 28, was given probation in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to five charges including entering premises by break and commit indictable offence, possessing tainted property, possessing ammunition and possessing knuckle dusters.

The court heard Parnell was high on methamphetamine when he broke into two tradesmen’s vans in May and July of 2021.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said the crimes were planned and an effort was made to wipe the vehicle after the offences.

But DNA was found on a discarded cigarette near the van that linked Parnell to the theft.

Police also found a small finger print.

“Real steps were taken to conceal the matter and it was apparent someone made an effort to wipe the vehicle down afterwards,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“Planning was shown as the fuse box had been broken into and the vehicle‘s alarm had been disabled.

“It seems that while there was an effort made to wipe down the car, police found one little finger print on there that linked you to it which was very good work by the police.”

Parnell stole $2137 worth of tools in the May theft and an additional $11,400 worth of tools from another tradesman’s van in July.

The May break and enter involved Parnell breaking into the van and stealing $2137 worth of tools.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said in July Parnell committed a more serious offence where he broke into another tradesman’s van and stole $11,400 in tools.

Police raided Parnell’s property on July 27 and found $1700 worth of stolen goods from another theft but didn’t find the $11,400 taken from the van.

Police were able to recover some of the tools from the first theft in May.

“You’ve said nothing to the court about what happened to it … either you’re protecting other offenders or you made a significant gain by selling them on the black market,” Mr McLaughlin said.

Solicitor Anna Smith said her client had engaged with court programs to the best of his ability after he was stabbed and spent time in hospital.

She said he was working as a concreter before being introduced to ice and becoming involved in criminal activity.

“He has little recollection of breaking into the two cars … he was in a mad methamphetamine haze,” Ms Smith told the court.

“He has not taken ice since the offending.”

Mr McLaughlin said Parnell was on probation at the time of the offending.

He sentenced him to 18 months probation and ordered him to pay $13,787 in restitution.

A conviction was recorded.