Serial thief Jiah Benjamin Mcintyre jailed for stealing expensive rings from Diamond Jewellery Manufacturers in Alstonville

A Northern Rivers man busted swiping expensive rings from a Ballina Shire jeweller has been convicted of property offences numerous times, a court heard.

handcuffs generic

A serial thief from the Northern Rivers busted nicking a handmade wedding band and $7875 diamond ring left a palm print on a jeweller’s cabinet.

Nimbin man Jiah Benjamin Mcintyre, 39, faced Lismore Local Court via audio visual link from Clarence Correctional Centre.

Mcintyre pleaded guilty on Monday to larceny of a value of more than $5000 and hindering or resisting police in the execution of duty.

On February 22, an employee of Diamond Jewellery Manufacturers in Alstonville was working alone in the shop.

Mcintyre was arrested at Nimbin.

Mcintyre entered as the worker was finishing up with another customer about 3.45pm.

Mcintyre asked about the price of a charm in a cabinet at the front of the store and the worker opened the cabinet, court documents state.

The employee left to check a store computer when he could not find the price in a counter book, leaving the door open.

Mcintyre then reached over the counter and into the cabinet, which was captured on CCTV, the court heard.

Mcintyre removed two rings from the cabinet and the worker asked him about them when he returned

“Did you reach over the counter?” he asked.

Mcintyre told him he did not, he was given a price for the charm and left the store.

Mcintyre walked down an alleyway between the Federal Hotel and The Crossing Cafe.

Police were notified of the theft and told a gold diamond ring was stolen, valued at $7875, as well as a white gold wedding band valued at $1360.

Mcintyre stole the rings when the worker went to check prices. File image.

Mcintyre leaned on the glass top of the display cabinet in the shop, leaving a “writer’s palm” print on top of the glass, police facts revealed.

Police went to a Nimbin property and arrested Mcintyre about 9.30am on April 10.

He struggled when he was handcuffed.

Mcintyre asked to hug his mother on the way out and requested she “make arrangements to pay for the stolen property”, according to the documents.

Mcintyre was asked about the rings and replied: “They got stolen.”

The court heard Mcintyre was unemployed and a well-known property offender with numerous convictions.

Mcintyre was convicted and sentenced to eight months in jail, with a non-parole period of six months.

He was ordered to compensate Diamond Jewellery Manufacturers $9235.

Mcintyre is due to be released to parole on October 9.