Collie man who stole more than $16,000 worth of equipment from Western Power covered camera with tape

A Collie man who stole more than $16,000 worth of equipment from a Western Power site first trespassed on the site and covered the security camera with duct tape. David John Danes, 39, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, one count of stealing, and another of trespassing. He also pleaded guilty to a drug possession offence, as well as failing to stop while evading police, having no licence, and driving recklessly to escape police. The court was told that on February 7, Danes entered the Western Power site in Palmer, covered the security camera with duct tape, loaded numerous tools and equipment into a ute, and left. All up, the items had an estimated value of $16,960. On February 13, police charged Danes with the driving and drug offences. Danes’ defence lawyer said in the two weeks before the event, the father of five was having a difficult time personally, which included losing his job when his boss died, and relapsing into drug use. The magistrate said jail was the only appropriate sentence, giving him an 18-month term with parole eligibility in the future. Danes’ licence was also disqualified for two years, and he received a $600 fine.