By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A NOBLE PARK ice addict with an intellectual disability has been jailed for 16 months over a month-long burglary binge – including an aggravated burglary in which he struck an elderly resident.
Andrew Roccadavis, 24, who was using up to 3.5 grams of ice a day, had been seeking immediate release from 294 days in remand at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court today.
The court heard that Roccadavis committed thefts and several burglaries, netting a laptop, hard-drive, Bluetooth stereo, handbag, jewellery and an electronic tablet in Glen Waverley on 22 October about 5.30pm.
During one of the break-ins, a 64-year-old owner in his sixties discovered Roccadavis hiding in a walk-in wardrobe.
Before fleeing, the accused dropped a pillow-case of items, and pushed and kneed the man’s leg, causing swelling and bruising.
Roccadavis left outside the home a red bag containing 15 sets of house and car keys, a garage remote, house-breaking equipment and a full bottle of vodka.
In a police interview that night, he said he “blacked out“ and couldn’t say where he had been prior to his arrest.
He later told police his memory was “hazy at best“ due to regular GHB and ice use.
During a Cranbourne West home burglary in October, a 20-year-old female awoke to find Roccadavis in her bedroom.
He fled, leaving behind a doona loaded with jewellery and personal belongings in the hallway.
On 26 September, Roccadavis broke in and stole a tablet, laptop, mobile phone, camera, jewellery and cards including a Crown Casino membership card from an apartment in Close Avenue, Dandenong.
He then gained access to the building’s security car park on several occasions over the next three weeks.
On one occasion, he broke into a storage unit and stole several items, as well as smashing his way into a vehicle using a milk crate.
In October, Roccadavis – a disqualified driver at the time – drove a stolen vehicle during a petrol drive-off at Noble Park, broke into and stole hard hats and high-visibility vests from a Springvale construction site, and stole toolkits from a Dandenong home garage.
On 15 October, he told a Dandenong service station attendant he forgot his wallet and gave a false name, address and phone number after filling a stolen car with petrol.
The offending occurred just one month into a 12-month community corrections order.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said Roccadavis’s nine months in custody was not enough, even taking into account the accused’s disability.
He warned the accused not to hurt people, saying it would have been “terrifying“ for the Glen Waverley victim to be confronted at home.
Roccadavis was also sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order upon release from jail on 22 February.
He was also ordered to pay more than $12,000 compensation to victims, to provide a DNA sample to police and disqualified from driving for 12 months from today.
