Canadian author Aaron Clague involved in bizarre break-in on NSW south coast
A self-described “nomad on the run” broke into a south coast beauty salon and stole nearly $10,000 worth of products during a layover in Australia en route to Vietnam.
Illawarra Star
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A self-described “nomad on the run” broke into a beauty salon and stole nearly $10,000 worth of products during a layover in Australia en route to Vietnam.
Canadian national Aaron Clague, 54, appeared from custody in Wollongong Local Court on Friday, when he pleaded guilty to the bizarre break-in at Beauty by Natalie Searle in Gerringong on the NSW south coast.
The court heard Clague was a carpenter by trade and was in Australia for four days before heading to Vietnam where he intended on writing the third book in a trilogy.
Clague, who goes by “thenomad_ontherun” on Instagram, was staying at the Park Ridge Retreat on the night of January 8.
The court heard that about 3.30am, a drunken and jet-lagged Clague was booted out of his accommodation because of the racket he was making on a call to his sister back in America’s hat.
Court documents state about two hours later Clague broke into the beauty salon, causing $1200 worth of damage to the door, and pilfered $9500 in products, the point of sale system, an Apple MacBook and a mobile phone.
The goods were stashed in a blanket which Clague threw over his shoulder before catching the next train to neighbouring Kiama, where police arrested him on the main drag shortly before 9.30am.
The court heard while the items stolen were recovered, many were deemed unusable.
In court on Friday, Clague’s solicitor, Jack Murray, confirmed his client would be pleading guilty a break and enter charge.
He sought that the case be finalised on Monday in order to let the offender move on to his next destination.
Mr Murray asked magistrate Geraldine Beattie to consider granting Clague bail over the weekend, submitting the ultimate sentence would not be one of full-time custody.
The solicitor submitted the strange circumstances were brought about by grog and jet lag, and once he was kicked out of his accommodation, he was stuck in an unknown location.
“The reason for breaking into the shop would make sense if he broke in and stayed there,” Ms Beattie opined.
Ms Beattie denied bail, with the case expected to be finalised on Monday.
Got a court yarn? Email dylan.arvela@news.com.au
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