James Alexander Gray, 28, was arrested in the early hours of May 6 this year following a spate of burglaries and thefts from cars in California Gully.

He was jailed on Monday after pleading guilty to six counts of theft, two counts of burglary, and one count of attempted theft.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled weapon, dealing in property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, handling stolen property and entering a private place.

The court heard Gray stole items including wallets, car keys, sunglasses, an iPod, and jewellery from six cars in Aliza Avenue, Julian Way, Westwood Drive and Truscott Avenue between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on May 5.

Gray also entered two garages and a car port in nearby streets where residents at two of the properties disturbed him, causing him to flee.

Officers found Gray in Aliza Avenue with some of the stolen property, including a small folding pocket knife and scabbard and a small amount of cash.

The court heard the offending breached a previous community corrections order.

Police prosecutor Acting Sergeant Chris Jones said Gray, who had been in custody since his arrest and appeared via video-link, told police he could not recall his actions on the night of the thefts and had been going to visit a friend.

Gray's defence lawyer said his client had schizophrenia and asked the court to assess Gray for another community corrections order, but Magistrate Jennifer Tregent said the man's extensive criminal history meant jail was warranted.

"Your client has been to court well in excess of 20 times," she said.

"(He) has run out of options."

Ms Tregent jailed Gray for 10 months for the theft spree.

She also re-sentenced him for the corrections breach, imposing a 14-month jail term with an eight-month non-parole period, and fining him $3000.