Dishwashing burglar admits 38 break-ins

The tale of a tidy burglar on the run who was renowned for breaking into baches, cooking himself meals, doing the dishes and then taking a nap has been detailed in Tauranga District Court.

Dean Michael Vincent, 40, stole to survive while living rough in the Bay of Plenty for 16 months after breaking parole terms, the court heard this week.

Vincent pleaded guilty to 38 charges of breaking into baches and homes from Pukehina Beach across to the Rotorua lakes at Rotoiti, Rotoehu and Rotoma.

As Judge Christopher Harding read out each charge, Vincent stood in the dock and checked off his own list, replying: "Guilty, Your Honour."

The court was told that Vincent jemmied doors and windows of empty houses and baches to steal food, camping gear, work boots and fishing gear worth about $10,000.

He had bolted from Huntly in July 2003 after being paroled with 2 1/2 years left on a six-year sentence.

Vincent fled to Taupo and camped in a bivouac until moving to a bush hideout at Rotoehu last April.

The following month a major police search was launched after he set out from Matata for the Coromandel in a dinghy with an outboard motor. Waves swamped the small craft, washing ashore clothes and food.

Vincent survived and headed inland again. As the number of burglaries mounted, police scoured the bush round Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoma.

During his last couple of months on the run, Vincent hid in a tarpaulin-covered hole while preying on holiday baches at Pukehina.

Police captured him riding a stolen motorcycle on State Highway 2 near Pukehina without a helmet.

Vincent claimed he burgled because he needed food, clothing and equipment to survive in the bush.

He told police he always ensured baches were empty and was careful not to make a mess or damage property unnecessarily.

Vincent also escaped from Waikeria Prison in May 2000 and turned to stealing from homes in the Rotorua lakes region. That time he was on the run for 11 months.

On Monday, he was remanded in custody until next month for reparation and sentencing reports to be completed. He has yet to enter pleas to a charge of arson on August 28, two more of burglary, and one each of theft.

- NZPA