Stiephanos Simon Stievn fronts court for breaking into Harristown convenience store

A 21-year-old that was involved in the robbery of a convenience store where cash and cigarettes were stolen has fronted court.

When questioned after being caught in possession of 14 packets of cigarettes that were suspected of being stolen, a man simply told police they were a “blessing”.

Stiephanos Simon Stievn appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday from the watch house where he pleaded guilty to robbery in company and breaching a bail condition.

The court was told the owners of the Stephen Street Store had closed and locked the premises after a day’s trade on Sunday night.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said about 1.13am on November 29 a witness saw five people attempting to break into the business before they eventually forced their way through the front door.

The court was told police arrived a short time later and found the door destroyed and a number of items stolen, including cigarettes and cash.

“A search of the area was conducted, and (Stievn) was found in the company of a juvenile female,” Senior Constable Willson said.

“Initially he refused to take his hands out of his pockets and when he did so a number of items were found.

“A search of the defendant found him to be in possession of 14 packets of cigarettes.”

When asked about the cigarettes, the court was told Stievn said they were a “blessing”.

The court was told two other people were found hiding nearby.

Large gaps of stock from the store’s drink inventory were also identified as being stolen.

Stievn’s solicitor Amber Acreman said the 21-year-old had no previous criminal history but conceded there was significant damage done to the store, but a majority of the stolen items had been recovered.

“He offers no excuses for his conduct at all … he appreciates his conduct was unacceptable,” Ms Acreman said.

Arriving in Toowoomba as a refugee in 2004, Ms Acreman said Stievn had been living and working in Rocklea for the past two years until a number of deaths in family brought him back to Toowoomba.

The court was told that Stievn also missed a reporting condition for an unrelated bail undertaking but fronted to Toowoomba police station a day later.

Magistrate Kay Ryan fined Stievn $800 for both offences. No conviction was recorded.