Nathan May breaks into Conondale property, steals $58,000 worth of property

A Sunshine Coast tree lopper who stole $58,000 worth of equipment from a hinterland property has been undone by incriminating phone messages and fingerprints.

A Nambour tree lopper who recruited thieves to steal $58,000 worth of vehicles and equipment from a hinterland property tried to pawn some of his new items on Gumtree, a court has heard.

Nathan May, 51, had previously worked at a 56ha Conondale property before he decided to rob the homeowners of $58,350 worth of their wares from May 4, 2020 to May 9, 2020.

Maroochydore District Court heard the Canadian-born dad along with an unknown number of accomplices stole property including industrial equipment, an excavator, an amphibious off-road vehicle, a gun safe, tools, expensive fishing reels and more.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the break-in crew damaged a fence and forced open shipping containers to effect the crime.

Mr Stark said incriminating messages were found on May’s phone where he had sent texts to a mate about map directions to the Conondale property.

Other messages related to the fishing reels he had stolen asking if his mate knew of anyone who “wanted fishing stuff”, the court heard.

DNA evidence and fingerprints belonging to May were found at the Conondale property, with some of the stolen items found at the 51-year-old’s home.

May also sold three of the reels stolen for $150 each on Gumtree.

The court heard even with insurance the owner of the property was still out of pocket by $15,000.

Defence barrister John Cook said the 51-year-old former fisherman and arborist had a relationship breakdown which led to him dabbling in amphetamines and drugs.

Mr Cook said it would be unjust for May to receive a sentence which would lead to his deportation to his birth country of Canada since he had lived in Australia from the age of six.

Mr Cook, Mr Stark and Judge Gary Long were locked in discussion on what sentence May should receive and if it would trigger potential deportation for the Nambour man.

May pleaded guilty to charges of enter premises and committing an indictable offence by break and fraud but had his sentence adjourned by Judge Long for a date to be determined so he could consider the punishment.