Katanning man faces court over alleged mosque break-in

A Katanning man is facing four charges in relation to alleged burglaries at the Katanning Mosque and a residential property in March. Rex Horace Garlett allegedly gained unlawful entry to the mosque with intent to steal between March 25 and 26. Katanning police allege Mr Garlett searched for items but only left with cans of stolen lemonade to the value of $10. Officers attended the mosque on March 26, finding it damaged with glass windows smashed and a door forced open. That was followed by a separate burglary between March 28 and 31, when Mr Garlett is alleged to have stolen a shotgun worth $2500 and ammunition from a home in Katanning. Police allegedly found the 12-gauge shotgun dumped in Piesse Park on April 2. Mr Garlett was arrested on the same day on suspicion of committing the burglary. He appeared before Katanning Magistrates Court via video link on Tuesday. He has been charged with burglary and stealing in relation to the mosque incident, and aggravated home burglary and stealing for his alleged involvement in a firearm burglary at a Katanning home. Sen. Sgt Carlos Correia said burglaries in Katanning had been halved between March and April.