A 26-year-old burglar who targeted Devonshire homes and used the proceeds to support his drug habit was yesterday remanded into custody.Tracyston Mallory pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary that netted nearly $5,000 worth of jewellery and cash.Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said the defendant stole jewellery and liquor worth $3,170 from a home on January 26.He then stole $1,600 worth of jewellery from a home on Valley Heights Road on February 4 and attempted a second break-in at a home on Vesey Street the following day. All three incidents occurred in broad daylight.The defendant elected a trial in Magistrates’ Court and entered three guilty pleas. Ms Clarke told the court that on January 26 the resident’s daughter returned home at 2.10pm and discovered the break-in.The culprit made off with $3,050 worth of jewellery and $150 in cash after he gained entry through an unlocked window.He smashed a back window to gain entry to another home on Valley Heights Road on February 4 that caused $400 worth of damage Jewellery worth $1,600 was stolen.But it was another Devonshire resident who heard the defendant trying to gain entry through a back door, who prevented a third break-in.Ms Clarke said the resident approached the defendant who said he was looking for a man named Mike.When told no one by that name lived there the householder asked the defendant why he didn’t use the front door. Ms Clarke said the defendant said he was told to use the back door and left on a scooter.The householder called the police and officers subsequently arrested Mallory who was spotted riding a bike fitting the description given by the complainant.When questioned he admitted that he broke into the homes in question and used the proceeds of his crimes to buy heroin and cocaine.Duty counsel Oonagh Vaucrosson said the defendant is an outpatient at Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute. “He had been recommended for drug treatment, which he didn’t get.”She suggested he would be an ideal candidate for Drug Court but Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: “We’re far away from Drug Court at this stage.”He ordered a social inquiry report, a drug assessment report and a psychiatric report before he remanded the defendant in custody until March 27.