A man with a significant alcohol problem repeatedly targeted his neighbors’ homes to steal alcohol, often while they were asleep or even present in their living rooms. The burglar, Robertas Petronis, was eventually apprehended by an off-duty officer who found him slumped over the steering wheel of his car, blocking a car park entrance, with an open bottle of rum and empty beer cans inside.
Burglar’s Pattern of Alcohol-Fueled Thefts
Robertas Petronis, 45, originally from Lithuania, admitted to multiple offenses including three counts of burglary, one count of burglary with intent to steal, driving without insurance, being drunk in charge of a vehicle, and failing to surrender to custody. He also faced charges for two breaches of a community order previously issued for a drink-driving offense.
The court heard a series of incidents that highlighted Petronis’s escalating behavior, driven by what prosecutors described as a clear alcohol problem. His offenses occurred over several months, demonstrating a pattern of targeting homes in his vicinity for their alcoholic beverages.
First Incident: Found Drunk in Charge of Vehicle
The first recorded incident took place on December 17. An off-duty police officer discovered Petronis in his vehicle, immobile and blocking the entrance to Vinters car park in Maidstone. Upon attempting a breathalyzer test, Petronis initially blew out the testing tube. He eventually registered a reading of 54 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 35.
Inside the car, officers found an open bottle of Captain Morgan’s rum and several cans of Stella Artois. Following his arrest, Petronis was taken to Medway Police Station. There, he reportedly became aggressive before falling asleep at the custody desk and making offensive remarks to officers.
Burglaries Targeting Neighbors’ Alcohol
The burglaries themselves revealed a disturbing level of intrusion into the lives of his neighbors. On April 25, Petronis entered a neighbor’s home to steal alcohol while the occupants were asleep. The wife reported going to bed around 1:30 AM, while her husband fell asleep on the sofa and retired later. Upon waking, they discovered a bottle of vodka and a bottle of Jack Daniels missing. The Jack Daniels held significant sentimental value as it belonged to a deceased family member.
CCTV footage later confirmed Petronis entering the residence at 5 AM, while the residents were still inside their home. This incident underscored the vulnerability of homeowners even when they are present but unaware of the intrusion.
Attempted and Successful Burglaries
The following day, Petronis attempted to gain entry into another nearby home. CCTV footage captured him trying various access points, including the back door, conservatory, and garage, indicating a persistent effort to commit further theft.
A more direct confrontation occurred on May 9. A homeowner was watching a film in the early hours when his dog began barking. Upon investigating, he found Petronis standing in his kitchen. Although Petronis remained silent, the homeowner noticed a £40 bottle of Moët champagne on the kitchen counter. The homeowner shouted at Petronis, who then fled the premises with the champagne.
The prosecutor noted that Petronis appeared to be targeting homes where alcohol was visible, often entering when residents were present. While no direct threats were made, the experience was described as “incredibly scary” for the victims.
Final Burglary and Confrontation
Petronis’s final burglary occurred on June 28. The homeowner discovered a smashed bottle of Bucks Fizz on his path, initially unaware of how it got there. Later that afternoon, the homeowner’s wife was sitting in her front room when she heard the back door open. Believing it to be her husband, she was surprised to see Petronis. She engaged him in conversation, and he identified himself as Rob. When asked what he wanted, he stated he was looking for whisky. The wife, observing his intoxicated state, offered him tea and escorted him out of the house.
After Petronis left, she realized the smashed Bucks Fizz on the path must have been him, and further investigation revealed that additional alcohol had been stolen, confirming he had been inside the house previously.
Mitigation and Sentencing
During the court proceedings, Petronis’s legal representative, Isaak Eliezer, argued for credit to be given for his client’s early guilty pleas. He also suggested that the intrusions into the victims’ homes were minimal.
Mr. Eliezer detailed that Petronis had experienced significant personal difficulties over the past three to four years, including his wife returning to Russia and accumulating substantial debt, estimated between £50,000 and £70,000, which was incurred by his ex-partner. These pressures, he contended, led to an increase in his alcohol consumption and subsequent addiction.
The defense emphasized that Petronis understood his actions were wrong and acknowledged a need for assistance with his alcohol dependency.
Court Decision
Given the severity and nature of the offenses, the magistrates determined that the case exceeded their sentencing powers. Consequently, the case was transferred to Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing. Robertas Petronis was granted bail pending his appearance at the higher court.
