John Albert Baumer avoids prison by ‘narrow margin’ after crime spree across State’s south

A Mandurah man charged with a string of offences across the Peel and South West regions in which he attempted to break into a home, stole a car and removed his ankle monitor to leave house arrest has evaded prison.

John Albert Baumer, 34, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court last Thursday via video link from Casuarina Prison for sentencing after previously admitting to stealing a motor vehicle, attempted aggravated home burglary, two counts of gaining benefit by fraud, interfering with monitoring equipment and breach of bail.

In October last year, Baumer attended a Dalyellup property, ringing the doorbell to no response.

The man proceeded to go to the backyard of the property, attempting to force his way into the home by using a flathead screwdriver to pry off the flyscreen of the side window and backdoor.

Triggering the home security system, a friend of the victim attended the home, startling Baumer and causing him to throw the screwdriver and flee the home into a waiting car.

Five days later, the 34-year-old was seen buying alcohol in the Peel region with a stolen bank card.

Using PayPass, he purchased $55 cost of booze from BWS in Mandurah Forum and a further $75-$99 more from Liquor Barons in Halls Head.

In early 2022, Baumer stole a 2003 Toyota Prado which authorities found 10 days later located 700m from the accused home, using DNA from the vehicle to trace it back to Baumer.

He was arrested on January 22 but made no comment on any of the charges.

In March of this year, the man was further charged after he removed his ankle monitor and left his home, having been released from custody but remaining on house arrest.

He was once again taken into custody on April 2, where he has remained since.

Magistrate Joanne Andretich described the spree as a “serious” offending, granting a 15-month suspended imprisonment term by a “narrow margin”.

Further to the suspended term, Baumer received a global fine of $400 for the fraud and breach of bail charges.