Montel Carlos Jordan Hooper: Breaks into 15 properties in eight days while on meth

A court has heard an 18-year-old meth addict tried to break into 15 properties on 11 streets in three towns during an eight-day spree. He even managed to remember some of it.

A court has heard an 18-year-old meth addict tried to break into 15 properties, on 11 streets in three towns over eight days — and managed to remember some of it.

Appearing via video link from Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre at Cleveland Magistrates Court on Friday (November 26), Montel Carlos Jordan Hooper made no attempt to apologise to his victims.

The court heard Hooper went on a whirlwind of break-ins at Dunwich on North Stradroke Island, in Dalby and also Toowoomba.

He stole $3000 worth of gold chains from a single property, wallets containing hundreds of dollars in cash, a Toyota Rav 4, family heirloom jewellery, a diamond and sapphire ring and replica weapons.

At times working with multiple co-accused, he variously smashed windows with pot plants, crawled through a pet door, jimmied doors with screwdrivers and burnt a hole through a fly screen with cigarette lighter to gain entry, according to police.

Hooper, of Dalby, pleaded guilty to eight counts of entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, three counts of entering a dwelling with intent, two counts of attempting to enter a dwelling by breaking in, three counts of entering a dwelling with intent by breaking in, unlawful use of a vehicle and two counts of wilful damage to police property, among other offences.

Montel Carlos Jordan Hooper, 18, of Dalby pleaded guilty to breaking into and attempting to break into eight houses on North Stradbroke Island between August 25-26. Picture: Facebook.

The court heard he was high on ice during his spree and claimed to have little recall.

In two incidents Hooper was confronted by residents and fled, only to target another property straight afterwards.

On April 19 in Dalby he broke into three properties, including two on Cox St and one on Miles St.

Three days later he broke into a Condamine St residence and targeted another home on Miles St, the court heard.

His Dalby pilfering included stealing a SUV vehicle from a Bunya St home.

He kept offending when he moved to Dunwich in a failed attempt to re-establish contact with family.

The court heard between August 25 and August 26 he broke into six properties at night on Norfolk St; Flinders St; Flinders Ave; Welsby St; Mitchell Crescent; Pamphlet St and Bingle Rd.

And he attempted unsuccessfully to break into two further properties on Pamphlet St.

Hooper’s defence solicitor Lyle Parker said they were his client’s first criminal offences as an adult and noted most of the stolen goods were recovered.

However, that did not include a family heirloom ring.

Mr Parker said his client had family support in Dalby, with possible employment.

“This is a big moment for him; he can either go one way or another,” Mr Parker said.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta denounced Hooper for his disregard of the law and others’ property.

“You just go swooping in and don’t think about it,” she said.

Noting none of his offending had included violence or were of a sexual nature, Ms Vasta deemed Hooper’s 93 days in pre-sentence custody served as enough punishment.

He was sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.

He was further ordered to pay $964.65 in restitution but would not be made to pay for the $1500 in damage he caused to a police station camera.

No conviction was recorded.