They didn’t get away clean

A GEELONG couple allegedly resorted to stealing and pawning Dyson vacuum cleaners across southeast Queensland because they were too poor to return to Victoria.

Police claim the “prime mover” behind the threemonth crime spree worth thousands was on the run from Victorian Police.

Corio’s Nicholas James Hruska, 33, was this week denied bail in the Southport Magistrates’ Court on 16 charges including stealing and fraud. His partner, Casey Maree Sardoz, 32, from Norlane, was granted bail on the same alleged offences.

Mr Hruska was allegedly seen stealing a Dyson vacuum cleaner on the Gold Coast in July.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said Mr Hruska “seems to be the prime mover” behind the scheme.

“(The charges) involved him taking high-value items and marching out of the store without any attempt to pay,” he said. Mr Sinclair told the court Ms Sardoz then sold the items at pawn shops.

It is alleged the couple did this at stores such as The Good Guys and Harvey Norman from the Gold Coast to Toowoomba between July 27 and September 5.

The pair were caught on CCTV cameras, the court was told. The couple allegedly stole at least three Dyson vacuums.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Davina Cochrane said Mr Hruska was wanted in Victoria over several matters.

She told the court Victorian Police had not provided any details about those matters.

Defence lawyer Mollie Roper said Mr Hruska denied the allegations and that Ms Sardoz had claimed the couple ran out of money during their trip and were unable to return to Victoria.

In denying Mr Hruska bail, Mr Sinclair said it was his experience that someone “in the grips of a drug addiction” would not comply with any bail conditions imposed.

Mr Sinclair granted Ms Sardoz bail on the conditions she not contact Mr Hruska, reside at her home in Norlane and report to police three times a week. Ms Sardoz has no criminal history.

Mr Hruska’s matter will return to court on October 15 while Ms Sardoz will return to court on November 12.