Two years behind bars for string of break-ins in Geraldton and Carnarvon

An 18-year-old serial burglar has been jailed for two years after committing seven break-ins in Geraldton while on the run from burglary charges in Carnarvon. Carnarvon-born Jonathon Raymond Ryder appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a string of burglaries in Carnarvon and Geraldton between September and November last year. On September 25, Ryder and a co-offender forced their way into the Australia Post Office in Carnarvon with a crowbar damaging doors, windows and computers before stealing two tablets worth $278. The court heard the pair caused more than $4000 in damage, but were identified from DNA evidence left at the scene. Ryder was arrested and charged for the offence the following month but failed to appear in Carnarvon Magistrate’s Court on October 26. Instead he went on the run breaking into another Carnarvon business on October 22 stealing $900 of items before fleeing to Geraldton. There, over a three-week period, he committed seven more burglaries on businesses and one home stealing thousands of dollars, bows and arrows and a motorbike before his arrest. Prosecutor acting Sgt Beau Jones said Ryder was arrested on December 1 and admitted to nine burglaries and stealing charges. His lawyer George Giudice argued for leniency saying he was still a young man and had gotten mixed up in the wrong crowd while in Carnarvon. “All these offences were committed shortly after he turned 18,” he said. “He tells me his plan is not to go back to Carnarvon because he cannot stay out of trouble there.” He was sentenced to two years jail by Magistrate Chris Miocevich, who said the community was sick and tired of burglary offences. “I’m hoping this time in prison, and it’s a fairly long time, will act as a deterrent to you Mr Ryder,” he said. “You’re an adult now in the eyes of the law, everything’s changed. If you get out and commit further burglaries you will face another two years.” “I hope you use this time to turn your life around.”