A Sanctuary Point man has pleaded guilty to stealing eight bearded dragons from a local pet store valued at more than $1100 to help fuel his drug habit.
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John Robert Dawson, 29, appeared in Nowra Local Court on Friday, June 14, facing a variety of charges, including two counts of larceny and disposing or killing a stolen animal.
Court papers said Dawson stole the eight bearded and pygmy bearded dragons from Nowra pet store Fins, Fangs n Feathers on May 22-23.
The court heard he visited the pet store on May 22, locating the key to the locked lizard cabinet, before removing one of the reptiles, placing it in his pocket and walked from the store.
Keeping the key, he returned to the business the next day and removed a further seven lizards.
When staff realised the lizards, valued at $1174, were missing a check of CCTV confirmed the theft and they contacted police.
Dawson had used Facebook to advertise the reptiles, with investigations leading police to a Sanctuary Point address, where Dawson confirmed he had taken the reptiles and sold them to get money for drugs.
Dawson told police he had sold four of the reptiles for $50, two had escaped and he had given one away.
He also faces three counts of driving while suspended on the Princess Highway, Bulahdelah on March 27, St Georges Basin on April 7 and Sanctuary Point on May 28.
He also faces two counts of breaching an apprehended violence order, taking a vehicle and the possession of a prohibited drug.
Dawson remains in custody and will reappear on June 28.
Read more: Crime/Court
