Albion Park thief Caden Macpherson jailed for burglaries, thefts

A drug-affected robber who broke into a home using a car battery days after abandoning a stolen Mercedes has learnt his fate.

Albion Park man Caden Macpherson. Picture: Facebook

A drug-affected burglar who smashed into a Farmborough Heights home in the middle of the night with a car battery has been sent to jail.

Caden Macpherson, 29, walked into Wollongong District Court on Friday to be sentenced for the aggravated break and enter as well as stealing a car, breaking and entering with the intention of stealing and entering enclosed land with the intention of committing an indictable offence.

The court heard Macpherson was on parole at the time of the offending in January, 2021, and after going into custody he was granted bail to engage in rehab.

Judge Andrew Haesler accepted when Macpherson was not “affected by drugs” he was “remorseful”, however, he saw no alternative other than sending him back to jail.

He sentenced Macpherson to two years and seven months with a non-parole period of one year and three months.

The court heard in January, 2021, Macpherson had stolen a Mercedes, with the owner realising his keys had gone missing while he was at a worksite.

Macpherson, unable to properly operate the vehicle, abandoned it in the middle of an intersection in Berkeley before fleeing on foot.

Police were able to track him down at a nearby property but the court heard he was “well-affected by substances and had trouble waking up”.

Caden Macpherson had previously “shown remorse” for his crimes. Picture: Facebook

The officers searched the property, finding the keys to the Merc as well as a motorbike that was “reasonably suspected was stolen”.

Around the same period, the court heard Macpherson had broken into a fenced-off commercial site in Unanderra and stolen keys to a vehicle as well as a roll of electrical wire.

Macpherson was able to access the vehicle, a grey Mazda, and nick a garage door remote and a pair of headphones.

Within 24 hours of that offence, Macpherson was captured on private CCTV lurking under a carport in Farmborough Heights trying unsuccessfully to gain entry into a couple of cars.

The most serious offence, though, was Macpherson smashing his way into a Farmborough Heights abode with a car battery – causing about $1000 in damage – while loaded on a cocktail of drugs including Xanax.

Caden Macpherson was sentenced in Wollongong District Court on Friday.

The 64-year-old owner heard a noise, but thought it may have been one of his two sons downstairs.

Macpherson made off with a silver poker case, wireless headphones and a set of keys.

The court heard the 64-year-old caught a glimpse of the robber through a window before trying, with little success, to catch him on foot.

The homeowner jumped in his car to follow the offender and told him to “drop what you‘re carrying, the police are coming”.

Macpherson dropped everything, including a red-handled chisel and when he was later arrested, he admitted to police what he had done, but “couldn’t remember much” because of the influence of drugs.

Caden Macpherson may be eligible for parole in May, 2023. Picture: Facebook

In court on Friday, Judge Haesler said the nature of Macpherson’s offending would have caused “grave disquiet” and put the victims at “unease”.

Judge Haesler highlighted Macpherson’s time in and out of custody since leaving high school and his inability to take full advantage of opportunities to rehabilitate himself.

“He opted for the easy life, surf, skateboard, cannabis … Then he started using ice and then he went to jail,” the judge said.

“He says he is willing to undertake intervention, but what he says and what he does don’t match.”

With time already served, Macpherson may be eligible for parole in May 2023.