Warwick man faces jail time over destructive post office break-in, racking up thousands in damages

The Warwick man smashed his way into the community staple and racked up close to $8000 in damages and stolen goods before leaving his ID at the scene, making the jobs of police hunting him a breeze.

$7.5K+ BREAK-IN: A Warwick father-of-four smashed his way into the Warwick post office and stole dozens of items worth more than $6000 in total. Picture: file / Warwick Daily News

A Warwick man has narrowly avoided time behind bars over a shocking break-in at a main street business, where he racked up more than $7000 in damages and stolen goods.

Wayne Christopher McAuley forced his way into the Warwick post office by smashing a window at the back of the building at about 4am on February 15.

The Warwick Magistrates Court was told the 38-year-old loaded 31 new mobile phones and electronic goods such as AirPods into a bag, with the stolen items worth $6191 in total.

The thief’s hurried escape proved his own undoing when officers found a bag containing identification belonging to McAuley in an alcove behind the post office.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said officers raided a George Street home days later, where they found a number of the stolen phones and traced them back to McAuley.

“He was taken to the police station and interviewed. He made admissions to breaking into the post office and stealing the phones,” he said.

Sergeant de Lissa submitted $1458 for repairs to the broken window and $6191 for the stolen items should be paid by McAuley in restitution to Australia Post.

Police again raided the Warwick man’s home on March 17, where they uncovered a pipe McAuley admitted he used to smoke “rock” or methamphetamines.

The court was told McAuley’s criminal history included a string of drug and theft offences, including one that earned him a stint behind bars in 2017.

Duty lawyer Clare Hine said the man moved to Warwick after being released from jail to start fresh with his partner and their four children, and was now “disgusted with himself” for being back in court.

Ms Hine said McAuley was making progress in his rehabilitation until a relationship breakdown earlier this year sent him spiralling back to substance abuse and crime.

“He is extremely disappointed in himself because he’s worked so hard to turn his life around, and he says he just fell back into his old ways,” she said.

“For the past three or four years he’s been a contributing, functioning member of society … there is certainly hope for rehabilitation.”

McAuley was sentenced by magistrate Julian Noud to 12 months’ jail with immediate parole.

Mr Noud warned McAuley he gave “serious consideration” to putting the father-of-four straight behind bars.

“It must be understood that your offending has caused great intrusion, harm, and inconvenience to the community, who are sick and tired of seeing … drug-affected people committing these types of offences and breaking into places of business,” Mr Noud said.

“If you are back before the courts again for any type of like offending, you will be receiving, one assumes, a sentence of actual imprisonment.”

Mr Noud also reduced the Warwick man’s restitution to $2000 of the total $7649 in damages.

McAuley pleaded guilty to one count each of entering premises to commit an indictable offence and possessing a drug utensil.