Whangarei man admits taking $10,000 worth of tobacco products in service station burglaries

The Bream Bay Gasoline Alley that Joseph Toby burgled on May 22, stealing more than $3000 worth of tobacco products.

A young Whangarei man has admitted stealing tobacco products worth nearly $10,000 after breaking into two service stations.

Joseph Toby, 20, pleaded guilty in the Whangarei District Court this week to three charges of burglary, two of unlawfully taking motor vehicles, and one of theft of a handbag.

Another charge of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle was amended to unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle.

Also, one charge of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle was amended to unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle. He pleaded guilty to the amended charges.

Police withdrew one charge of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and another of possession of cannabis.

Toby broke into the Bream Bay Gasoline Alley about 3.45am on May 22 and stole more than $3000 worth of tobacco products.

On July 6, he burgled the Parua Bay Gasoline Alley and stole tobacco valued at $6500.
Blood samples uplifted by police from the tobacco cabinet and on a door of a stolen car he drove to the service station were analysed and identified as belonging to him.

Toby and his partner Angel Reihana drove to the Marsden Pt Gasoline Alley on July 14 but were unable to access the tobacco cabinet. They instead took $350 cash and $400 worth of vouchers. Reihana's blood matched samples found near the till.

She was sentenced to 22 months in jail last month after pleading guilty to three charges of unlawfully taking motor vehicles, two of using a document for pecuniary advantage, two of burglary, one of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and another of theft.

Police executed a warrant at their home and located a bolt cutter handle, a voucher, and clothes worn during the burglaries.

Toby was remanded in custody for sentencing on December 6.