He burglarizes a van in Vendée while its occupants are sleeping and ends up pinned to the ground

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While he was about to pocket 200 euros, this repeat thief, a few hours after the events, found himself in a remand center. The 1^is November, a couple comes to spend the All Saints' Day weekend with their family, rue du moulin in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, in Vendée. During the night, shortly before 10:30 p.m., while the couple was sleeping in the van, parked on the property, a noise was heard. A man entered the vehicle and found a box containing money. He pockets 200 euros.

Bills falling out of your pocket

Having just left the scene of his crime, the couple falls on him, the father arrives to the rescue, the bills come out of the thief's pocket and fall to the ground. Controlled, the gendarmes only have to pick up this young man who lives in the town with his mother and grandmother. He is already known to the courts.

In fact, aged 20, his criminal record shows eight mentions between 2016 and 2023. He even has a six-month prison sentence remaining.

He thought “the van was empty”

Questioned about the facts by the presiding judge Yannick le Goater, the thief replied that he thought “the van was empty”. He also admits, “I had smoked, my mind was a little elsewhere”.

Indeed, he is known for his consumption of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and ketamine. He does not work, giving the reason that he has lost his papers: “it prevents me from finding an employer”.

For the public prosecutor Gwenaëlle Coto, it is a “waste”. He never showed up for his summons, “he has already been incarcerated, he was unable to derive any benefit from it.” A sentence of two years, one of which is firm, is required.

“The problem of addiction”

The defendant's defense is provided by Ma Karine Vreken. She points out “the problem of addictions”. For the lawyer “there is no strategy of theft, it is only the opportunity. If he had suspected the presence of someone in the van he would not have entered.” And to ensure “that after this episode in his life he is ready to prove himself”. The lawyer pleads for a probationary suspended sentence, “imprisonment is not necessary”.

Six months firm

After deliberating, the court sentenced the young man to eighteen months in prison, twelve of which were suspended for two years, with an obligation to provide care and work. He will have to compensate the couple to the tune of 600 euros in damages. He was taken to the Fontenay-le-Comte remand center.

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