Alleged robber gets just desserts
A FATHER accused of breaking into a local ice cream store was caught in the act when police happened to drive by as he was leaving, with a cash safe in hand.
Repeat property offender Djahn Frederick Doolan is charged over the alleged break in of Gelatissimo at South Townsville on July 10.
He was charged with enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, and obstruct police officer, and appeared via videolink in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a bail application.
It is alleged that at 3.25am on July 10, Doolan approached the store, crouched down behind a bin and put gloves on.
It is further alleged he then kicked the door in, and forced his way into the storeroom, before picking up a cash safe and leaving the storeroom.
But just as he was leaving the store, police just happened to be driving by.
The court heard that police say they spotted Doolan with the cash safe in hand, and activated their lights and sirens, before Doolan took flight.
Magistrate Viviana Keegan told the court when police captured Doolan, they found $205 stuffed down his pants.
The entire incident was caught on both council-owned and external CCTV cameras, as well as police bodyworn cameras.
While his lawyer said Doolan was not in a show-cause position, Ms Keegan described the alleged incident as an “overwhelming” case.
“He is looking at a sentence of imprisonment,” Ms Keegan said.
“He was caught in the act and many CCTV footage showing the beginning, middle and the end.”
Doolan’s lawyer submitted that Doolan could live with family in Mouth Louisa, and
that bail would give him an opportunity to get his personal affairs in order for his two young sons.
Doolan was heard to have a seven page Queensland criminal history.
His lawyer submitted that Doolan could report and that an 8pm to 6am curfew could be imposed.
Ms Keegan described Doolan as a “recidivist” property offender, noting his seven page Queensland criminal history, as well as his NSW history.
He was denied bail and remanded in custody.
His matter was set down for mention in August.