Sunshine Coast break-in offenders revealed | List
From leaving DNA evidence to having their face caught on video footage these are some of the Sunshine Coast break-in offenders and the mistakes that cost them their freedom.
Police & Courts
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Sunshine Coast police are employing new tactics against burglars who are sneaking into homes in the dead of night and stealing property from unsuspecting residents.
Queensland Police data states there have been more than 6000 unlawful entry crimes across the district so far in 2022 with our courts jam packed with the culprits.
Sunshine Coast Property Crime Squad’s Detective Sergeant Chris Duhig said police were using advanced technology to detect thieves, burglars and housebreakers.
“There’s forensic and DNA technology that is just constantly evolving and improving which helps us nab offenders,” Sergeant Duhig said.
“Community support is another big factor as they’re our eyes and ears, so things like Crimestoppers always play a major part in solving these crimes.”
Sergeant Duhig said the main property crime prevalent on the Sunshine Coast, particularly on the southern end of the region, was sneak breaks.
“Most of these offenders are from Caboolture, North Brisbane and even Logan and when they travel up the highway, the Sunshine Coast is only two turns off,” he said.
“We have ones turning into Aura and Caloundra where they’ll commit these sneak breaks.”
These offenders will look for open garage doors and steal keys in vehicles and flee with stolen cars and other items, according to Sergeant Duhig.
“It’s the simple things that will stop these guys in their tracks which is keeping garage doors closed, having sensor lights and CCTV,” Sergeant Duhig said.
“Those sensor lights are worth their weight in gold because lots of times these guys will be put off when they turn on and we can see them on the video footage.”
Once these criminals are caught, Sergeant Duhig said a simple trick for victims to reclaim their stolen property is to retain serial numbers of expensive items.
“There’s often times where we find property but we can’t link it to an owner without a serial or model number,” he said.
“It’s amazing the amount of times we’ll do search warrants or pull cars over and recover property which is obviously stolen but we can’t identify it.
“Recording those numbers goes a long way for these items to go back to their owners otherwise they just go to a public auction.”
From drugged out and violent break-ins to sneaky unlawful entries these are 10 Sunshine Coast housebreakers and some of the mistakes that cost them their freedom.
CONVICTED
Emily Kathleen Warren
An ice-fuelled burglar who targeted a charity during a drug-hazed crime spree had CCTV capture some of her criminal escapades.
Emily Kathleen Warren was sentenced to 15 months’ prison after she pleaded guilty to eight charges including enter a premise and commit an indictable offence by break and two counts of stealing.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Warren was suffering from a drug-induced psychosis when she broke into Gympie’s Meals on Wheels at midnight on December 7, 2021 and Maroochydore’s Avalon building on October 19, 2021.
“(Warren) removed the fly screen, forced her way in and jumped through a window,” police prosecutor Phillip Stephens said.
Sergeant Stephens said while inside Warren, who was caught on CCTV, took two wallets and a vest from the charity.
Magistrate Catherine Benson ordered Warren to complete one third of the 15-month sentence and issued a parole release date in May, 2022.
Convictions were recorded.
Shaun Desmond Glen Williams
A 27-year-old Baringa dad used bolt cutters and a fire extinguisher in the dead of night to steal property from a Sunshine Coast storage shed.
Shaun Desmond Glen Williams was jailed for 11 offences committed over a protracted period in 2021, ranging from assault to uttering a forged document.
The court heard Williams had also been linked to a break and enter of a Caloundra West storage shed on July 5, 2021.
Sergeant Brewer said Williams had stolen motorcycle accessories and bicycles after he broke the lock of a storage shed with an extinguisher and cut metal bars to gain access.
Caloundra Magistrates Court heard the items were recovered damaged and were traced to Williams.
Williams pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching bail and one of entering premises, assault, stealing, uttering a forged document, driving under the influence and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
He was given a head sentence of two years’ jail with a parole release date of June 3, 2022, with 113 days declared as time served in pre-sentence custody.
Convictions were recorded.
Dean Robert Richards
A Caboolture man was jailed after the $130,000 luxury car he stole from a Bli Bli home was located by police on the streets of Nambour.
Dean Robert Richards, 26, will pay no compensation after he damaged a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado ute he stole on January 30, 2022 while he was on amphetamines.
Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said Richards had stolen a handbag containing a wallet and bank cards along with the vehicle from a Bli Bli home he had broken into in the early hours of the morning.
The Chevrolet was found on February 1, 2022 in Nambour after it was reported stolen where Richards was tackled and arrested by police.
The court heard the Chevrolet’s exterior and interior were damaged with police suggesting chlorine was used in the “malicious” act.
Acting Magistrate John Milburn said Richards caused “damage and destruction” to the expensive car but said insurance had been paid to the owner of the car.
Richards pleaded guilty to 13 charges including unlawful use of a car, disqualified driving, fraud, obstruct police and receiving tainted property and was sentenced to 16 months’ jail.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years.
A conviction was recorded.
Dylan Mark Cheers, Eli Rustin Pilton
A pair of Sunshine Coast burglars who broke into homes, stole cars and robbed stores before setting their getaway vehicles on fire had their exploits captured on CCTV.
Eli Rustin Pilton of Moy Pocket and Dylan Mark Cheers of Currimundi, both 24, received jail sentences with immediate parole for their part in a string of break and enters in March and April, 2020.
Maroochydore District Court was told the two men, fuelled by meth, conducted a series of break and enters over a five-week period.
Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings said Pilton and Cheers would steal from cars and homes and use some of the vehicles they stole to rob shops and pharmacies for cigarettes, jewellery and other items.
Mr Cummings told the court the pair had set fire to their cars after some of the burglaries.
This continued until their arrest on April 15, 2020.
Cheers and Pilton pleaded guilty to 19 and 21 charges respectively including several counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles, breaking and entering, arson, and stealing.
Pilton was sentenced to two years’ jail and was given immediate parole, while Cheers was sentenced to three years’ jail and was released on immediate parole, with 700 days in pre sentence custody recorded as time served for Cheers.
Convictions were recorded.
Ronald Mark Vigenser
A Dicky Beach man’s fingerprint is what led to police charging him with breaking into a Maroochydore home and stealing thousands of dollars of property.
Back in 1992, Ronald Mark Vigenser, who was 55 in January, 2022, broke into a Maroochydore home on December 18, where he stole approximately $4330 worth of property.
Vigenser then also drove off with the victim’s car which was later located by police with the stolen items inside.
Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said the break-in occurred at 5am when the victim was present.
“There was a fingerprint located within the house that was the fingerprint of the defendant, he denied involvement … attempts were made to locate the defendant but were unsuccessful,” Sergeant Burrell told the court.
“He was located at Nambour Hospital in 1993 and was arrested but for whatever reason he didn’t come before the court.”
Vigenser pleaded guilty to one charge each of housebreaking, stealing and unlawful use of motor vehicle to commit an offence.
He was given 18 months’ jail, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay $3000 in restitution.
Convictions were recorded.
Brenton Travis Sinn
A Nambour man who snuck into the home of an 88-year-old Warana woman to steal her car was spotted by police acting suspiciously shortly after the break-in.
Brenton Travis Sinn, 33, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in Maroochydore District Court after he pleaded guilty to 15 offences including four counts of entering a dwelling to commit an indictable offence and riot or mutiny – unlawfully damages property.
Sinn had been released on parole for three months when he started his crime wave over a few days between June and July, 2020.
The court heard Sinn ransacked a Tewantin home to steal jewellery and snuck into an 88-year-old’s house to steal her handbag and car keys before driving off in her car on June 29, 2020.
Later that day Mr Cash said police also spotted Sinn acting suspiciously near Tewantin houses when he sped off down Noosa-Cooroy Rd.
His 268 days of pre-sentence custody was declared as time already served.
Sinn was eligible for parole on March 31, 2022.
Convictions were recorded.
Adam Wayne Parnell
A Sunshine Coast tradie who stole more than $13,000 worth of tools from the vans of fellow tradesman had his DNA link him to some of his crimes, a court has heard.
Adam Wayne Parnell, 28, was given probation in Maroochydore Magistrates Court 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.
He sentenced him to 18 months’ probation and ordered him to pay $13,787 in restitution.
A conviction was recorded.
Benjamin Joel Henderson
A face tattooed father who smashed glass doors to steal property from Sunshine Coast businesses was identified by police after he left his ID in his getaway car.
Benjamin Joel Henderson broke into four Sunshine Coast businesses by smashing glass doors during a nine-day crime spree in July, 2020, before he was arrested on August 5, 2020.
Police footage of the arrest shows how the 24-year-old attempted to escape police by running into bushland but was quickly located by a police dog.
Maroochydore District Court heard Henderson stole a gel blaster and electronic equipment before abandoning a car with identification documents that led to police finding him.
Crown prosecutor William Slack said he smashed the glass doors of each business to get inside.
Henderson pleaded guilty to five offences including four counts of entering a premise to commit an indictable offence and one count of attempting to break into a premise to commit an indictable offence.
Henderson was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the break and enter offences and two years for the attempted break and enter.
A parole eligibility date was set for May 7, 2022, delaying Henderson’s release by four months.
Convictions were recorded.
Kyle McLeod
CCTV footage captured a Sunshine Coast man on meth who broke into a gym, stripped naked, and made himself at home for six hours, a court has heard.
Kyle McLeod pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court to a single charge of entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence (wilful damage).
During his “bizarre” overnight stay at Snap Fitness Nambour, Mooloolaba man Kyle McLeod, 30, broke several toilet seats, left others covered in blood, broke two doors, and made disturbing noises in a cubicle next a woman in another cubicle.
Defence lawyer Liesel Rogan attributed his “bizarre” behaviour to the consumption of five points of ice the day of the offence.
McLeod was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of 14 months.
Convictions were recorded.
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