Anton Galova: Broome man sentenced to 31 months after robbery of Oaks Hotel and Roebuck Bay Hotel

The accomplice of a crime spree who acted as a “lookout” for his fellow offenders at the Oaks Hotel, a few days after breaking into and stealing alcohol from the Roebuck Bay Hotel, has been sentenced to 31 months imprisonment.

Anton Caleb Joseph Galova faced Broome’s District Court on May 29 and pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated burglary and stealing.

The court was told the 24-year-old was out drinking with friends and family at a residence before being convinced to accompany four other men to break into the Roebuck Bay Hotel about 3am on March 18, 2022.

Not wanting to be left behind, he went along with the group — helping peel open a metal door to one of the bars within the hotel and stealing 15 bottles of wine through a small opening.

Three days later, he and the group went to Oaks Hotel on Robinson Street about 2am with the intention to burgle the bar for alcohol.

Galova kept a look out for security as his fellow offenders used an axe to break the glass of the restaurant to gain entry into the bar, stealing bottles of liquor off the shelves and leaving the premises.

An hour after leaving the hotel, the group returned for more alcohol but security was already investigating the scene and had called police.

Once approached by security, one of the offenders threatened the guard with the axe, saying “I’ll chop your head off” if he were to step any closer.

Police driving nearby approached the men leaving the hotel on Guy Street, uncovering bottles of alcohol in their bags and taking them into custody.

Defence lawyer Nick Brookes said his client was “not a sophisticated individual” and that Galova did not believe he was fully involved in the crime, hence his co-operation with police when providing statements against the others involved.

District Court Judge Michael Bowden sentenced Galova to 31 months jail, backdated to March 21, 2022. He will be eligible for parole after serving 15 and 1/2 months.