Jacob Pumpa, 24, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to seven theft-related charges including going to Warrnambool's Bunnings store three times and stealing tools.

He also broke into his mother's home while she was away, but she caught him via a mobile phone linked security system.

Magistrate John Lesser jailed Pumpa for 14 days, which started on Thursday, and after being released he said the defendant would be placed on a 12-months community corrections orders and be assessed for a justice plan.

He has to return to court in March for a follow-up court hearing.

Mr Lesser said the sentence balance a punitive approach while giving Pumpa the opportunity to address his issue after a short sharp stint in prison.

Police said that at 11am on December 30 Pumpa and a co-accused entered the tool department of the Warrnambool Bunnings store where they went to a secured cabinet and were seen on security cameras removing a $599 Bosch laser level.

They then left the store without paying for the item and got in a Ford utility.

At 10.30am on New Year's day they returned to the store with the ute owner and the pair selected spanner and socket sets valued at $600, which they put up their jumpers.

At 6pm on January 3 they went back to Bunnings and stole a King Chrome socket set valued at $185 which Pumpa put down his pants before exiting the store.

Staff were made aware their vehicle had its number plates covered and police were called but the offenders had left before they arrived.

On December 30 the pair went to Warrnambool's Kmart store, put on T-shirts and jumpers worth $80 and walked out without paying.

They then went to Pumpa's mother's Warrnambool home at 7pm on January 8.

They knew she would be away and had been told not to attend at her home.

They tried to get in through a garage door, which they damaged.

They then damaged a bathroom window and entered the home, but were seen by Pumpa's mother via a security system linked to her mobile telephone.

She contacted them and told them to leave, they refused and she called police.

Pumpa was arrested on Wednesday this week and during an interview denied taking the tools or going to his mother's home.

He admitted prior offending, involving two injury-related matters which resulted in a community corrections order, which he later breached.

Lawyer Kerry Schroeder said Pumpa frequently suffered panic attacks, intellectual and learning disabilities and he could not give her instructions on Wednesday.

She said Pumpa's best friend was killed in an accident involving a truck about 12 months ago at Portland.

The lawyer said that had led to Pumpa spending more time with the other man which was not an advantageous relationship.

Ms Schroeder said her client described his offending as "dumb" and "stupid" and they wanted cash to work of their cars.

She requested another CCO and magistrate John Lesser has ordered an assessment be conducted to determine Pumpa's suitability for another order.

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