Jordan Lesa: Logan man’s elaborate plan to steal $23k worth of candles

A Logan candle shop worker who would arrive early to work and steal stock was sprung by his boss after they went to extraordinary lengths to catch him out.

A man has faced sentence in court for stealing $23,000 worth of fragrances and other stock from his employer over a period of 10 months — his elaborate scheme uncovered after his victim hired a private investigator.

Jordan Tana Lesa, 33, of Logan Reserve appeared in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 8 and pleaded guilty to one count of stealing by clerks and servants.

Police prosecutor Tim Wise told the court the charge was laid after Lesa stole $23,000 worth of stock — including fragrances, oils, and candles — from his former workplace, Aroma Candles, between December 2020 and October 2021.

He said Lesa had been working at the Meadowbrook store since December 2017.

The court heard financial and family pressures “got to him” and he began arriving early to work to steal stock to sell online.

Mr Wise said the owner of Aroma Candles was informed by a client that their product was being sold online and subsequently hired a private investigator who uncovered Lesa’s elaborate scheme.

All of the stolen items were recovered and returned to Lesa’s employer.

Defence solicitor Sarah Pascoe said her client committed the offence for “financial reasons” and amid a time of stress.

She said Lesa had essentially been cut off from his family after he transitioned from female to male, suffering further loss during Covid-19 lockdowns.

Ms Pascoe also noted her client had made “full and frank” admissions to his offending, he had been on bail for a significant period of time by Thursday, and he was anxious about the court proceedings.

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll took into account the seriousness of the crime and Lesa’s plea of guilty when deciding an appropriate penalty.

He said Lesa’s offending was “foolish” and a “breach of trust” against his employer who had to go to some lengths to prove his criminal conduct.

Mr O’Driscoll acknowledged the Logan man had confessed to having a “serious lack of judgment” and apologised to his victim after he offended.

Lesa was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment to be wholly suspended for an operational period of two years. A conviction was recorded.