Burglary toll exceeds $34k

A Nelson man caused $34,000 worth of damage and stolen property in a burglary in the Redwood Valley near Nelson last year.

Lake Arizona Takimoana, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary at the Nelson District Court on Monday.

At about 1.15pm on October 20, Takimoana and an associate arrived at an address in the Redwood Valley on Moutere Highway.

The pair forced open the door of the house, causing significant damage to the door and the door frame.

They then searched the property, tipping out drawers and throwing items all over the bedroom floors.

While removing items from the house and garage, Takimoana was disturbed by the owner of the property returning to the address.

The pair jumped into their vehicle and fled the scene.

The combination of property stolen and damage done to the property was estimated to amount to $34,367.58.

Takimoana also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, cannabis, and an offensive weapon at a separate incident in January.

Exercising a search warrant on a vehicle Takimoana was a passenger in, police found cannabis, a cannabis bong, a knife, 7.3 grams of methamphetamine and 2 amphetamine pills belonging to Takimoana

Takimoana accepted responsibility for the collection, although he said he believed the amphetamine pills were in fact quetiapine.

Lawyer Lucy Patchett said Takimoana denied having substance abuse issues, despite the nature of the charges.

Judge David Ruth convicted Takimoana on all pleas, which he noted had been committed while Takimoana was under intensive supervision. He also ordered a reparation report to see how much of the $34,000 Takimoana could repay.

Judge Ruth remanded Takimoana on bail for sentencing on March 31.