A man who smashed his way into Bendigo's Ruffell Jewellers twice in six weeks has pleaded guilty to seven charges.
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Rex Cameron, 18, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to four charges of burglary and three counts of theft.
The court heard about 1.05am on September 19, 2019, Cameron was captured on CCTV loitering outside the Body Beyond Belief store in Hargreaves Mall.
He left the area before returning about 1.25am wearing a black hoodie and a covering over his face.
Cameron jammed open the store's front door and stole 12 jars of protein powder worth $919.40.
The court heard about 2am on September 30, Cameron used a hammer to smash through the front door of Ruffell Jewellers on Mitchell Street, Bendigo.
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He entered the store and smashed open two cabinets to steal 24 Citizen watches and other pieces of jewellery worth $7283.34.
The court heard more jewellery - worth $1326.77 - was damaged in the break-in.
Cameron then returned to the Body Beyond Belief store on November 11.
About 1.23am, he removed a piece of plywood from the store's front door and entered the building.
He stayed in the store for about eight minutes before leaving without stealing any items.
The court heard Cameron then went back to Ruffell Jewellers on November 14, this time smashing a window to gain entry.
He broke the glass of two cabinets and stole another 20 Citizen watches, as well as a number of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The stolen items were worth $5696.28.
The court heard Cameron was identified in CCTV vision on December 22.
A zip-lock bag filled with a number of necklaces and earrings was found in his bedroom on December 27.
Cameron was charged and extradited from Queensland last week, after being arrested at Surfers Paradise.
Defence counsel Kim Parker told the court Cameron committed the offences because he had a "lack of money" after his Centrelink payments were cut off.
He had been living with his father in Queensland, Ms Parker said, and he was hoping to return to Surfers Paradise.
Ms Parker said Cameron had no prior convictions and his guilty plea showed his remorse.
Magistrate Megan Aumair described the offending as "extremely serious".
"An 18-year-old going on a rampage like this is deeply concerning," she said.
Cameron was remanded in custody while a youth justice assessment is completed. He is due to return to court for sentencing later this week.
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