Chad Andrew Sayer jailed for Sunshine Coast pharmacy raids
A drug-addicted removalist who became hooked on pain meds after a motorbike crash terrorised pharmacy staff across the Sunshine Coast in desperate attempts to feed his habit.
A Nambour man will be eligible for prison release next year after a flurry of drug fuelled attempts to steal medication from local pharmacies.
Maroochydore District Court was told on Monday how Chad Andrew Sayer’s drug addiction motivated his crimes where he went into three separate pharmacies in pursuit of heavy pharmaceutical medication.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks said the 47-year-old’s crime spree began with a list of petty crimes in June last year, which included trespassing at Sunshine Mitre 10 to find a place to sleep.
The next day, Ms Marks said Sayer stole sunglasses, clothing and items from shops at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore.
He was found by police nearby and searched, which uncovered a Westpac bank card in another person’s name and shoes, suspected to be stolen, along with needles and a small amount of buprenorphine.
The court was told after he was released on bail, Sayer went to a pharmacy in Maroochydore in a dark hooded jumper which covered his face.
Sayer approached staff and asked for endone, a strong opioid, and he would “leave them alone”.
They refused, which prompted Sayer to walk around the counter and steal multiple packets of another medication.
He later returned the drugs to the pharmacy and apologised for stealing them.
Later that morning he made his way to another chemist at Nambour where he trespassed behind their dispensary counter and tried to steal endone and methadone, however he was unsuccessful.
He then travelled to a pharmacy at Yandina two hours later, with a beanie and T-shirt covering part of his face this time, where he walked past the counter and demanded drugs again.
“You’re going to give me everything,” Sayer said to staff, the court was told.
Ms Marks said the Yandina man had his hands in his jumper which caused the employees to be fearful.
A staff member yelled out to their boss to help which led to Sayer fleeing the business.
He was found by police nearby and arrested. He spent 529 days in custody before his sentence on Monday where he pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing, two of trespass, and one each of attempted robbery, robbery, attempted stealing, failing to dispose of a needle, possessing dangerous drugs and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.
Ms Marks said Sayer was driven by his own drug addiction in several ordeals which would have been “terrifying” for all victims involved.
Defence barrister Mark Dixon agreed, and told the court Sayer had grappled with drug addiction most of his life, especially after a car accident and motorbike crash years earlier which led to him abusing drugs.
Since being in jail, Mr Dixon said Sayer had completed extensive drug rehabilitation which was “life changing” for him. He hoped to continue it once he was released from jail.
Judge Glen Cash jailed Sayer for two years and set a parole eligibility date at March 27 next year, due to the 47-year-old being on parole at the time for other offences.
