Justin Anderson faces Ballina court pleading guilty to possessing break-and-enter gear

A Ballina man caught with a knife, balaclava, lockpicking tools and a bag filled with stolen items after running headlong into a tree told police: “I don’t do break-ins.”

Justine Anderson, 30, was arrested after running into a tree while trying to evade police, who found break-and-enter gear. ​

A Ballina man caught carrying a knife, balaclava, lockpicking tools and a bag filled with stolen items in the town told police: “I don’t do break-ins”.

Police spotted Ballina man Justin Anderson riding a bike without a helmet on Kerr St and activated their lights to pull him over about 1am on February 2, court documents state.

The 30-year-old jumped off his bike, leaving it in the middle of the road, before he fled into nearby bushes to avoid police.

Police took after Anderson on foot and caught up to him when he hit a low-hanging tree branch and fell over, police documents state.

Anderson tried to throw several items away from him before he was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station.

Justin Anderson, 30, was caught with an array of housebreaking implements.

Officers found a balaclava, a large fishing knife, a torch and four lockpicking tools in Anderson's bag, police facts state.

“I know it doesn’t look good … I don’t do break-ins and I don’t have a history of break-ins,” he told police.

Officers also found a debit card, two watches, Ray Ban sunglasses, a car key and a makeshift key fob, court documents state.

They also uncovered about 3.2g of cannabis, 2.8g of cannabis seeds and 0.4g of the drug ice.

Anderson claimed he picked the items up off the street when police questioned him.

Small jewellery crystals were also found on Anderson, who said he took them off his aunties table.

“When I get high, I just take things,” he said.

Anderson pleaded guilty to carrying a knife in a public place, possessing housebreaking implements, unlawfully obtaining goods and possessing prohibited drugs while in custody in the court on Friday.

Magistrate Karen Stafford adjourned the case to March 6.