A degree of premeditation was involved when a man arrived at a Waitotara resident's address and stole two motorcycles.
Hone Hare Hongi Terewa Clark and his partner arrived at the address while a friend of the owner was there feeding the animals.
Clark said he was looking for the owner and was advised by the friend that the owner was away, so Clark left.
However, he waited and when the friend drove away from the property, Clark returned.
He entered the victim's garage and loaded one motorcycle on to his vehicle which his partner drove away while he exited the property riding the other one.
Clark rode it to a nearby reserve where he attempted to conceal it in some bushes. However, it was later discovered, but the one on the vehicle was not.
Clark appeared in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday for sentencing after pleading guilty to burglary.
He offered no explanation for his actions and was sentenced to 120 hours' community work by Judge Philip Crayton, who also ordered that Clark pay $1000 reparation.
"It is plain that there is significant harm caused by the offending and you should be very clear, whether it is a garage or a dwelling, burglary is taken seriously," Judge Crayton said.
"You should be very clear that any further offending of this type will lead you to go to prison."