Alex Vale targeted homes and holiday units as he looked to fuel his meth habit

A Mildura man’s drug-fuelled rampage left some waking to find intruders in their homes, and holiday-makers waking to find their personal belongings missing.

Police at the scene of the aggravated burglary on Eleventh St in Mildura. Picture: Glenn Milne

A Mildura crook’s meth-fuelled crime spree has left a trail of shattered lives and shaken holiday-makers, a court has heard.

Alex Vale, 25, fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court in a Koori Court hearing where he pleaded guilty to several charges including aggravated burglary, damaging property, theft and possession of methylamphetamine.

The court heard Vale broke into several properties across Mildura to steal money and valuables to feed his drug addiction.

On the night of January 9, Vale broke into a property at Mildura Holiday Villas and stole items from a family while they slept, including two mobile phones, a handbag, wallets, and car keys.

The family woke at 3.30am to find their holiday home had been robbed.

Vale broke into a holiday home on Walnut Ave in Mildura while a family slept. Picture: Google Maps

Later that same night, Vale was seen attempting to break into another address. When the person living at that address startled Vale, he moved to the driveway.

The following morning, homeowner found their car, a Toyota Fortuner, had its rear window smashed, although nothing appeared to be stolen. 

Vale then broke into a home on Eleventh St and terrified the occupant who woke up to find him standing in their bedroom doorway.

The victim fled the house screaming, alerting neighbours.

Vale was arrested the next day with police finding several stolen items at his house.

After initially denying any involvement to police, Vale eventually admitted he committed the crimes to fuel his drug habit.

Speaking specifically on the Eleventh St incident, he claimed he thought no one was home at the time.

“All I said was ‘all I want is some money,’ and she started screaming,” Vale told police of the Eleventh St aggravated burglary. 

Vale pleaded guilty to his crimes at a Koori Court hearing in Mildura Picture: Mark Stewart

Vale’s lawyer told the court he only started using substances when his stepfather died and, after initially denying his involvement, was forthright in admitting what he had done.

Both Vale and his father, who was in court to support his son, shed tears as his lawyer spoke about his battle with addiction. 

Police prosecutor Kristen Simm pointed out the effect Vale’s offending would have had on the community, pointing out some of his offending happened at a holiday park. “Those people are unlikely to come back to Mildura. They’ll likely tell their friends and family about the horrible time they had in Mildura. All because of one person’s actions while high on ice,” Ms Simm said.

Vale’s case was stood down so he could be assessed for a community corrections order. He is due to reappear in court on September 10 for sentencing at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court.