Harrison Clissold pleads guilty to $60k Apple store burglary at Canberra Centre

A teen scaffolder admitted to his role in the bold burglary of an Apple store in a major Canberra shopping centre, after making off with more than $60,000 worth of technology.

Harrison Frank Clissold leaving the ACT Supreme Court on July 11, 2023. Picture: Sam Turner

A Gungahlin scaffolder evaded a security guard and made off with more than $60,000 worth of tech in a brazen heist at the Apple Store in the Canberra Centre.

Harrison Clissold admitted to his role in plundering the tech giant’s storefront on January 19, 2022 after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary and theft with a juvenile co-offender who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Agreed facts tendered to the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday stated his young co-offender, equipped with a claw hammer, went to the shopping centre in the early morning and broke into the Apple store.

He fled the scene only to return with Clissold about 4.30am, who was dressed in all black with his face covered.

They gained entry to the stockroom and loaded their bags with 29 iPhones, nine sets of Airpods and 10 Beats headphones.

Harrison Frank Clissold leaving the ACT Supreme Court on July 11, 2023. Picture: Sam Turner

Court documents state the total value of the goods stolen was $60,791. On their way out of the centre the pair were confronted by a security guard but both were able to escape.

Mobile phone data and DNA found at the crime scene formed part of the investigation which linked Clissold to the heist, police say.

Agreed facts state a phone call between the juvenile and Clissold from a youth justice centre was recorded talking about their criminal endeavours.

“And they're trying to say in this vide (sic), that the person touched the button and they're trying to say like thy (sic) might have shirt (sic) for the button,” Clissold said during the phone call.

The Apple store inside the Canberra Centre in Civic. Picture: Clement Law

“900 f--ken (sic) hundred thousand people would have touched that s--t the next day though ... nah I reckon that’s cap,” the juvenile replied.

The court heard the brazen burglary took place only two weeks after Clissold turned 18.

Prosecutor Chamil Wanigaratne said Clissold had a lower level of involvement to his co-offender who was sentenced to jail for his part of the Apple burglary.

Mr Wanigaratne said it wasn’t an “overly sophisticated venture” but said those who commit these sort of crimes had the mindset of making a “quick buck”.

Defence barrister James Maher tendered references to the court which spoke of Clissold “showing maturity” since being charged, and said the teenager was working full time and had good prospects of rehabilitation.

Mr Maher said his guilty pleas should be taken into account due to the investigation being “largely a circumstantial case”.

Justice Belinda Baker adjourned her decision to a later date.