By DION TEASDALE
A LILYDALE man has been sentenced to 15 months’ jail after admitting to five burglaries in Healesville.
Kelvin Smith pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary in Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 17 August.
Mr Smith received a nonparole period of six months for his involvement in five burglaries that took place between Sunday, 14 August and Tuesday, 16 August.
Senior Constable Bruno Cimo of Healesville police said Mr Smith stole $5 in petty cash from the Healesville Cinema and $2.70 from the Healesville and District Historical Society after forcing entry into the Healesville Memorial Hall, where the two organisations are located.
He said Mr Smith then forced entry into the Healesville Medical Centre in Symons Street, where he stole $20 in cash, before gaining unlawful entry to the Grand Hotel on Maroondah Highway.
Sen Const Cimo said Mr Smith also broke into a private residence on Maroondah Highway on Tuesday, 16 August and stole a DVD player and an Xbox game system.
“Mr Smith was apprehended at a pawn shop in Croydon by members of the Croydon Regional Response Unit (RRU) about 2pm on Tuesday, 16 August,” Sen Const Cimo said.
“With the help of diligent, communityminded witnesses, Healesville police were able to alert Croydon RRU to the offender’s activities.”