Ice addict, 34, storms a shop in a scuba mask and high-vis before being taken down by footy players in a citizen's arrest – but won't be jailed Michael Anthony Read stormed a newsagent with a mask armed with a hammer The 34-year-old threatened female staff, before stealing $1014 and cigarettes Read was chased by footy players and another man in a car park The drug addict won't be jailed because he has a mental illness He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had not been taking his medicationBy Paula Ahillon For Daily Mail Australia Published: 00:42 BST, 14 May 2019 | Updated: 00:42 BST, 14 May 2019 Viewcomments A schizophrenic ice addict who stormed a shop in a scuba mask and high-vis while wielding a hammer was desperate for money to pay a drug debt. Michael Anthony Read threatened female staff and stole $1,014 and cigarettes from NewsXpress in Perth's Silver Sands shopping centre on June 5. The 34-year-old needed to pay a $200 drug debt was eventually tackled by footy players as he attempted to escape through the car park. The drug addict had not taken medication to treat his mental illness when he raided the store, the Western Australia Supreme Court heard. CCTV footage shows Read approaching the shop's counter in a mask and an employee tells him to take it off. Read refuses and pulls out a hammer, before two staff run away as one crouches down in fear. The robber is seen jumping over the counter, stealing cash from the register and cigarettes. Read was chased by a couple of footy players from a local team and another man in a car park, before being tackled to the ground. Read lived just 10 minutes from the store where there was a female worker who was only 16, PerthNow reported. He planned the robbery carefully by carrying a rod and bucket so onlookers would get the impression he was going fishing, the court heard. Read had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was qualified for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Michael Anthony Read (pictured), 34, won't go to jail after stealing $1014 of cash and cigarettes at a newsagent after threatening staff with a hammer Justice Bruno Fiannaca gave Read a three year conditionally suspended prison sentence after considering the extent of his mental health problems. He had suffered severe head injuries in a motorbike accident. 'I can not regard your offending as impulsive. I don't accept this,' Judge Fiannaca said. 'However in the broad sense your disorder may affect your judgment and your condition was a minor factor in your offending.' One worker at the newsagent still suffers anxiety following the incident, where she was left with an injured hip and knee as she tried to run from the scene. Read (pictured) had not taken any medication to treat his schizophrenia when he did the robbery Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility