Couple sent to jail for jewellery store heists

A couple have been jailed for $130,000 in jewellery heists where one deceived store staff while the other grabbed rings and bracelets and ran.

Anthony Gene Wharton, 44, was described by his lawyer as being “hungry for drugs” when he ripped off the stores in Rotorua, Auckland and Hamilton with his partner, Kayla Huhana Matatahi, 20.

They were sentenced separately on slightly different charges before Judge Alayne Wills in the Rotorua District Court.

Both were charged with stealing gold and diamond bracelets from Hart Jewellers, Hamilton valued at $26,257, rings and bracelets from Otahuhu Jewellers worth $10,000 and bracelets from Michael Hill Jewellers Rotorua worth $97,374.

In each of the three thefts on two separate days in May, Matatahi walked into each store and asked to look at jewellery. While it was on the counter Wharton would grab the jewellery and run.

“[Matatahi] would remain in the store and appear shocked by what had happened then leave before being spoken to,” Judge Wills said.

Matatahi also faced a driving while disqualified charge, failing to answer bail charge and breach of bail charges.

Wharton also had two charges for residential burglaries in March and charges of breaching release conditions, breaching community work, failing to answer bail, and possession of items used to consume drugs.

Wharton pleaded guilty to his charges in June.

The pair both have a history of offending and the judge said Matatahi had accumulated 18 convictions over 30 months.

Wharton’s lawyer, Rachelle Cavanagh, said his burglary offences were “unsophisticated” and because he was “hungry for drugs”.

During the two burglaries Wharton took a television, pounamu, jewellery, a spoon collection and war memorabilia. He has since returned the television and pounamu, which the judge gave him credit for.

Judge Wills sentenced Matatahi to 12 months’ imprisonment on the three shoplifting charges and six months disqualification from driving on her driving while disqualified charge.

Matatahi is able to apply for a home detention sentence.

She was convicted and discharged for failing to answer bail and convicted and had her sentences cancelled on her breach of bail charges.

The judge sentenced Wharton to one year and seven months’ imprisonment for the theft and burglary charges.