Stolen motorcycles: David Lauletta of Reservoir jailed after police raid
A raid on a storage unit has foiled what seemed to be a professional organisation for handling stolen motorcycles — and the Reservoir man behind it was found armed with multiple weapons.
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Multiple weapons were found at a man’s Reservoir home before police discovered he was hiding a haul of stolen motorcycles and IDs in a Coburg storage unit.
Police foiled what appeared to be a professional organisation for handling stolen goods, particularly motorcycles, Magistrate Stephen Ballek said when hearing of David Lauletta’s crimes at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court.
Lauletta had been out of jail for fewer than six months and was on a corrections order for similar crimes — hoarding weapons, stolen motorcycles and other stolen goods — when police made the latest find.
The court heard a search of his Parade St home on January 1 uncovered a black taser, an imitation handgun and an imitation revolver in the back shed, with Lauletta being a declared prohibited person for possessing firearms.
Two stolen motorcycles and more than 10g of cannabis were also found.
Leading Senior Constable Matt Toohey said Lauletta had been arrested that morning after police found two stolen motorcycles with false number plates outside Reservoir’s Summerhill Hotel.
Lauletta had ridden one of the bikes to the pub, and was arrested inside, where police found him carrying $1500 cash and five prescription tablets.
Police then searched a Coburg storage unit in his name on January 17, discovering five stolen motorcycles, one suspected stolen motorcycle and a scooter, also suspected to be stolen.
A stolen passport, licences and bank cards in various names, multiple number plates and electronic devices were also found.
Lauletta also faced charges after being caught driving on both methamphetamine and cannabis on December 23, 2018, and again on December 27, 2017.
On the first occasion he was driving without number plates.
The court heard the 41-year-old had a significant criminal history, having served multiple stints in prison, and had been using drugs for half of his life.
Lauletta’s lawyer said he had bought the stolen goods found in his possession.
But Mr Ballek said the crimes, particularly considering his previous convictions for similar charges, gave the offending more of a professional feel than someone just offending because of a drug habit.
“It’s like a professional organisation for handling stolen goods, mainly motorcycles,” he said.
“And his priors are similar.”
Lauletta’s lawyer pushed for jail time and a community corrections order.
But Mr Ballek said jail was the only appropriate option.
On Tuesday, June 30 he sentenced Lauletta to 18 months’ jail, with a non-parole period of 12 months.
He was fined $1800 and his licence was cancelled for 12 months.
Mr Ballek said he would have ordered 27 months’ jail, with a non-parole period of 18 months if Lauletta hadn’t pleaded guilty.
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