A CRIMINAL who has previously stolen thousands of dollars worth of presents on Christmas morning and a man’s false teeth is back behind bars.
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James Lawrence Strauss, 21, wasn’t particularly clever during his latest crime spree, leaving medication in his name in a stolen car along with stolen property linking himself to a break-in.
He was also captured on CCTV footage
Strauss broke into several homes in Wodonga, often when the residents were inside.
In one of the break-ins, the 21-year-old rifled through a bedroom as the occupants slept nearby before fleeing with various items.
He targeted the Avondale Drive home late on October 9 and stole car keys, an iPhone and jewellery before using the keys to steal a Mazda.
He headed to nearby Delaware Court and opened an unlocked garage door before stealing a GPS, army webbing belt and sunglasses.
Strauss then headed to Leonard Street and again gained access through an unlocked garage door.
He knocked off $2000 worth of fishing gear and several tools before travelling to a BP petrol station in Lavington.
CCTV captured Strauss driving to the business while wearing a grey hoodie and a black baseball cap before filling up the car with petrol and driving off.
The stolen Mazda was found on the side of the road in Mulga Place, West Albury, on October 12.
A search uncovered medication bearing his name and the army webbing belt.
Strauss next broke into a home in McAuliffe Street on October 16.
He entered by a master bedroom window as the occupants slept nearby and took a Samsung mobile phone from a bedside table.
He jumped a back fence into a home on Rex Court before taking a green Kawasaki dirt bike.
He was caught the following day leaving the front window of an Albury home and had to be chased down and arrested.
Detective Senior Constable Tristan Purss said it had been concerning behaviour.
Strauss received an 18-month jail term in Wodonga Magistrates’ Court this week and will be eligible for parole in eight months.