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A Masterton man has sentenced to three years in jail after crime spree in Wairarapa and Manawatū including robbing two jewellery stores.
Dontae Gray appeared for sentencing in the Masterton District Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to a raft of charges relating to meth-fuelled crimes last year.
Gray, 19 at the time, entered a Michael Hill store in Masterton on October 6, wearing a mask and brandishing a hammer, with a machete tucked in his pants.
He smashed several display cases and left with a bag full of jewellery. He drove off at high speed, at times on the footpath, the police summary of facts said.
Lawyer Ian Hard argued Gray’s offending was largely fuelled by his methamphetamine addiction and his troubled background.
He was sentenced for possession of methamphetamine and utensils, unlawful possession of a pistol, dangerous driving, robbery, assault, aggravated burglary, banking fraud, failing to stop for police as well as other driving charges.
Gray’s offending also included a smash-and-grab robbery of a jewellery store in Palmerston North on October 12, with two other people armed with metal poles.
He was spotted by police driving a car on Worksop Rd in Masterton on October 16 and a pursuit ensued.
After driving over road spikes, Gray continued driving on the rims and ended up on private property north of Masterton, where he demanded the keys to a vehicle from the homeowner.
He punched a man in the face, breaking his tooth and bruising his jaw.
Police caught up with Gray shortly after and he has been in custody since.
Prior to these incidents, Gray was arrested and charged in June 2022 for driving while suspended and giving false information to police. In July, he was found with a pistol and charged for illegally transferring someone else’s money into his bank account.
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