Burglar caught on CCTV (Update)

A father-of-five today admitted entering a Devonshire home and stealing a handbag.

Andre Tucker, 31, was caught on CCTV going into a First Avenue home on Friday at 7pm. 

Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney told the court the complainant was in the kitchen when she heard her nine-year-old daughter scream.

The complainant ran into the living room and saw Tucker standing next to a table where her handbag was.

Tucker then grabbed the handbag and ran out of the house.

The bag contained $1,000 in cash, a camera, wallet and various other items.

Police were called and came to the woman’s home shortly after.

The complainant’s neighbour told the officers he had a conversation with Tucker before the burglary.

The court heard the neighbour asked Tucker what he was doing in the neighbourhood and Tucker said he was looking for a lost dog.

That short incident was captured on the neighbour’s CCTV and assisted police in identifying Tucker.

The defendant was arrested at his Devonshire home and told officers he would take them to where he had dumped the bag.

It was behind bushes a short distance from the complainant’s home. The only thing missing was the $1,000 in cash.

In a police interview, Tucker admitted stealing the bag to fuel his drug habit. The court heard he is addicted to cocaine.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner adjourned the matter to October 30 and ordered pre-sentencing reports.

Tucker was remanded into custody.