Schoolgirl knifepoint robber back behind bars after Frankston business burglary spree
A serial burglar who served nearly six years in jail for robbing a schoolgirl at knifepoint embarked on a Frankston break-in spree just months after his release — and hid in a cupboard when police tracked him down, a court has heard.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A career crim who had only been out of prison a few months after serving a near six-year stretch for robbing a schoolgirl at knifepoint will be jailed again, this time for a Frankston burglary spree.
Bradley Robert Croughan had been released from custody in May last year only to embark upon another crime wave, breaking into or attempting to steal from a laundromat, car wash, clothing store and pub.
He pleaded guilty to an array of burglary-related, resist arrest, weapons, criminal damage and drug charges at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The 34-year-old will be sentenced later this month, likely to a six-month term, but as he has already served five months he could be released soon on a community corrections order.
The court heard overnight on December 9 and 10 last year he committed a series of commercial burglaries in the Frankston area.
In the first incident Croughan broke into a Frankston laundromat and stole cash and keys valued at $2000, and tried, but failed, to rip a TV off the wall.
Then he went to a nearby car wash and stole water pumps and hoses worth $2000.
He then took cash, tools and a safe valued at $1000 from a neighbouring business, before breaking into a clothing store and nicking an unknown amount of garments and $500 from a cash register.
His next thieving venture was his last – he was seen by a witness unsuccessfully trying to break into a Frankston pub, but had left keys stolen from the laundromat nearby and police were called in.
When officers tracked Croughan to his mates’ Frankston South house they found him hiding in a cupboard.
When they tried to arrest him they ended up in a struggle, before he was finally subdued.
Also in September last year he had been seen by police with a mate at a car wash in Seaford, and when they searched a car he was in they found two large knives and cannabis in his possession.
In court his defence lawyer said it wasn’t long after he was released he “fell back into the drug scene” because he had no supports in place.
She said since then he has been granted NDIS assistance for his mental health conditions and drug addiction, and he was prepared to work on a therapeutic community corrections order.
MORE COURT NEWS
WEIRD EXCUSES: CRAP MUM, WRONG SHOES, GOD, TONY ABBOTT
CAREER CRIM GIVEN DRUGS BY HIS MUM AT AGE 7
COKE CAN DNA LED TO BURGLAR'S AMBASSADOR ARREST
Magistrate Julian Ayres said Croughan has an extensive criminal past, but this offending was more “haphazard and opportunistic”.
He said when he is eventually released he should use the support provided to “break the chain” of jail, crime, jail.
“You have spent a huge amount of time in custody in your life,” Mr Ayres said.
“You have lost a lot of your 20s and teenage years.”
He said he would likely jail Croughan for six months and impose a 15-month corrections order when he is returned for sentencing on May 18.