Mildura thug Kaylen Pappin in statewide crime spree that left victims feeling unsafe in their own homes

A serial Mildura home invader left victims across the state terrified after his wild crime spree with a magistrate holding “genuine concern” for the public.

Kaylen Pappin pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to a statewide crime spree. Picture: Supplied

A magistrate has told a serial home invader whose crimes terrified people across the state his punishment needs to “loom large” in the wake of “genuine concern” from the public.

In hearing the case of Mildura thug Kaylen Pappin, who went on a wild statewide and border-crossing spate of car thefts and home invasions, Magistrate William Parker said the impact on people was terrible.

“The offence is so cowardly … the impact upon people. Punishment needs to loom large, there is a genuine concern about this type of behaviour, people walking inside people’s houses. There has to be a substantial time in custody,” Mr Parker said.

However, with a mountain of submissions to review and victim impact statements to read, the magistrate adjourned the matter part heard, saying he needed more time to hear a proper plea.

His comments came after the Melbourne Magistrates Court had heard multiple victim impact statements in which Pappin’s victims had been left terrified.

One detailed how the victim was struggling to sleep and every noise terrified her that someone else was breaking in, after Pappin, 22, had entered their home and nicked their car.

“The worst part is not feeling safe in our own home. This will affect me for years to come, if not forever,” the statement said.

Another victim, in a statement, said they were worried about what was outside.

“You see it all over the media and the news. You don’t know what is out there and what weapons they have,” the statement said.

“The police have done their job, now it is time for the magistrate to do theirs.”

Pappin was busted with drug stashes when arrested on several occasions. Picture: Generic

Pappin’s offending stretched from Mildura to Melbourne, Swan Hill, and across state borders, involving home invasions, high speed chases, stolen vehicles, and drug-fuelled mayhem between December 2023 and October 2024.

In September of last year Pappin was spotted by police in Fitzroy behind the wheel of a stolen Kia Sorento. Pappin mounted a footpath as he fled from police.

The court heard Pappin led police on high speed chases. Picture: Generic, file.

A short time later, police located Pappin and the stolen car.

This time Pappin was arrested after he left the vehicle and attempted to run away from police on foot. The court heard Pappin produced a machete while he was fleeing before officers tackled him to the ground.

When he was searched, police found coke, ketamine, diazepam, Ritalin and meth, along with multiple stolen bank cards and another knife.

During his recorded police interview, Pappin told police he was forced to take the stolen car and the illegal items to a Collingwood address, adding there was someone in the back seat pointing a gun at him the whole time.

He was also connected to multiple break-ins at Swan Hill homes in October 2024 while he was known to be in town for his father’s funeral.

He also led police officers from both NSW and Victoria on a high-speed chase across borders before being arrested in Dareton with three children inside a stolen vehicle.

The court heard Pappin stole multiple vehicles and broke into several houses while in Swan Hill for his father’s funeral. Picture: generic

Earlier in the year, Pappin was busted using items stolen from a staffroom of a Collingwood restaurant.

He was caught on CCTV driving a vehicle stolen from the restaurant and using a stolen bank card at several stores, including 7-Eleven and Foot Locker.

When arrested at a Fitzroy address, he was found hiding under a bed, barricaded in a bedroom.

Drugs, including methamphetamine and cannabis, were found in the room, along with multiple other items stolen from the Collingwood restaurant.

When questioned by police on that occasion, he gave a no comment interview, simply stating: “I can’t drive.”

Pappin was busted with drug stashes when arrested on several occasions. Picture: Generic

Pappin, who is on remand, will return to court until April 29 to continue the plea hearing, before being sentenced on May 14.