Torquay chef Troy Schrammeijer jailed after Bomboras, Pholklore break-ins

A former chef launched a crime spree against two Torquay restaurants in retaliation for being sacked over drug use.

A chef who broke into his former Torquay workplace for revenge after he was sacked has been jailed for six months.

Troy Schrammeijer, 36, was shown the door at popular Vietnamese restaurant Pholklore in July after management became concerned about his drug use, the Geelong Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday.

On August 18, Schrammeijer used inside knowledge of the business to break in, the court heard.

Troy Schrammeijer who was jailed on Monday.

Police prosecutor Siobhan Daly said Schrammeijer was “angry” with the way he’d been dismissed.

While inside Schrammeijer stole a money bag containing $500 and a tip jar with $300.

The court was told Schrammeijer swiped the bag and tip jar after he unsuccessfully tried to force open a cash register at the venue.

Acting Sergeant Daly said a police search of Schrammeijer’s Newcomb home found the clothing, a backpack and face mask used on the morning of the break-in at Pholklore.    

The court was told Schrammeijer was on bail on October 17 when he drove a hire car without number plates to Bomboras bar in Torquay about 1am.

Sergeant Daly said Schrammeijer used an angle grinder to cut a padlock on a shipping container at the venue and steal $6000 worth of alcohol.

The court heard 33 bottles were later found in Schrammeijer’s shed after he split the loot with another man, and that Schrammeijer had been a chef at Bomboras.

Schrammeijer broke into his former workplace, Torquay restaurant Pholklore. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Magistrate Peter Mellas said he gave Schrammeijer some discount for an early guilty plea but the nature of the offending was concerning.  

“You need some time to consider how you are going to approach the rest of your life,” Mr Mellas said.

Defence lawyer Tim Hancock said his client was remorseful and described the offending as “silly.”

“He made a poor decision; as a form of revenge to go in and commit burglaries on two occasions,” Mr Hancock said.  

Schrammeijer pleaded guilty to drug driving, trespassing, theft and committing offences while on bail. He was suspended for driving for 12 months.

Originally published as Torquay chef Troy Schrammeijer jailed after Bomboras, Pholklore break-ins