Daymion Guru, 19, and his 21-year-old co-accused, both of Ballarat, were charged over the aggravated burglary at Ocean Grove on January 22.

The Ballarat Magistrates' Court had been told the owner heard talking and someone running outside his home and he went outside to investigate.

The owner saw his gate close and he started to chase the males, who dropped an object he recognised as his printer, on the road.

The police dog unit found the co-accused hiding in bushes, while Guru was located a short time later and arrested.

The pair had taken a printer and cardboard boxes containing clothing and assorted screws.

Guru made admissions he stole the boxes from a tradeperson's vehicle and stated he used methamphetamine and Xanax before the incident.

The court was told Guru's offending was one of a number of incidents, between January 2019 and January 2020.

On January 26, 2019, a witness saw Guru driving erratically and fishtailing along Gent Street, Ballarat East.

He was driving an unregistered car and was an unaccompanied learner driver.

He was sentenced on Tuesday after he had earlier pleaded guilty to more than 15 charges, including aggravated burglary.

Magistrate Letizia Torres said she decided to release Guru from custody and place him on a community correction order because adult prison had been difficult for him at his age.

"It has been more than one month in adult custody and that has been a really difficult thing for you," Ms Torres said.

"You need to focus your energy on looking for work.

"I know you have worked before."

Guru was convicted and sentenced to an eight-month community correction order.