An Auckland man responsible for more than 50 burglaries preyed on Asian families and elderly victims who were inside their homes at the time.
Tuainekore Moeroa, 26, was sent to prison for 8 1/2 years after admitting charges that covered 51 burglaries as well as two aggravated robberies, assault, theft, unlawful taking of motor vehicles, driving offences, receiving stolen property and possession of methamphetamine.
The 26-year-old was told he would spend at least four years in prison for a spree that spanned eight months and involved more than $150,000 worth of property.
Police said Moeroa carried out the offending "with a level of brashness and extreme confidence".
In one case, he rifled through the bedroom of a 90-year-old woman while she was taking an afternoon nap.
"She heard a noise and didn't want to turn around but when she did there he was rifling through her draws," said Detective Adam Pyne.
Another victim said his 81-year-old mother was listening to talkback radio while Moeroa took cash and other property from bedrooms.
He returned a month later and the 81-year-old woman confronted him in the house. Moeroa told her he was looking for his cat.
In June, Moeroa broke into a Kohimarama house just as the elderly owners, aged 70 and 69, were arriving home.
"Moeroa made his way upstairs and began searching through drawers in the bedrooms knowing the victims were downstairs," said a police spokesman.
A short time later the 69-year-old woman went upstairs and from the top of the stairs saw Moeroa hiding in the bedroom.
She screamed out for her husband and ran downstairs with Moeroa following.
Moera punched the 70-year-old in the head and face several times and then pushed the woman out of the way and tried to open the front door.
Police said the man received a fractured cheekbone, broken ribs, grazing and cuts to his face and arm, two black eyes and a swollen face.
Moeroa also admitted the aggravated robbery of a furniture store where the owner was punched and kicked and held under a chair for 15 to 20 minutes while his store was ransacked and a safe stolen.
Judge Barbara Morris said the victim impact statements made sad reading.
In the June aggravated robbery Moeroa took a charm bracelet the 69-year-old woman had adding to for 45 years.
In another case, a child's bracelet made from the fob chain of her grandfather's watch was stolen.
His victims said they no longer felt safe in their own homes, said Judge Morris.
"What [the statements] reveal is that to many victims you have caused considerable emotional, physical and economic pain," said Judge Morris.
Mr Pyne said none of the irreplaceable jewellery items were found.
He said Moeroa was happy for the occupants to be at home. He would take their car keys and drive off in the vehicle, using it to commit other burglaries.
An associate told police Moeroa had used the word "creeping" to describe going into a property when the owners were at home.
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