A balaclava-clad crook loaded up Christmas goodie bags with hundreds of pounds worth of stock during an after hours raid on a Dundee superstore.
Gary Tardito was caught on CCTV prowling the aisle at The Range at Lochee’s Stack Leisure Retail Park in December last year.
Police dogs were called in to search for the 42-year-old, who was found hiding behind wooden pallets.
Tardito, who was jailed two years ago for a £4,000 raid on the city’s Giddy Goose bar, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court and admitted the break-in on December 1.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
Set off alarm
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said the Range’s manager was alerted by an alarm sounding just before midnight on December 1, while the store was closed.
Police were scrambled to the scene.
Mr Duncan said: “When officers arrived, they noticed fencing had been removed and placed as a ladder to access a smashed window.
“Several officers were given entry to the store, including a dog search unit.”
The fiscal depute said: “CCTV was checked and the accused was seen wearing a balaclava, with a mallet, and was loitering close to the tills.
“The accused was found hiding behind pallets.
“A till was found badly damaged nearby, and was later deemed unusable.”
The court heard that festive-themed bags with more than £1,000 worth of goods were recovered at the back door.
Bail refused
Defence solicitor Mike Short, defending, said Tardito, of Fairbairn Street, had “periods of stability in his life”.
He said: “His last period on remand was five or six years ago.
“He is someone who benefits from support.”
Sheriff Paul Brown reject Mr Short’s motion for bail and deferred sentence for background reports.
In 2020, Tardito was jailed for two years after he was caught on camera stealing £4,000 and helping himself to booze at the Giddy Goose on Perth Road.
CCTV captured inept Gary Tardito drinking behind the bar, updating his Facebook page and even sleeping during a near nine-hour jolly.
He told police he spent most of the stolen money on drugs.
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