Woman targets string of businesses in brazen stealing frenzy

A WARWICK woman who stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of alcohol and cigarettes from small businesses in just a few days has claimed longrunning substance abuse and mental health issues were to blame for the crime spree.

Jasmine Sheralyn Margare Buckland first struck at Criterion Cellars in Rose City Shoppingworld on January 29, picking up a bottle of liquor worth $26.99 and hiding in her arms before leaving the store.

Police prosecutor Andrew Grafton told Warwick Magistrates Court that Buckland targeted the same bottle shop again the next day, this time making off with two bottles of red wine worth another $27.96.

He said Buckland was soon tracked down by police and claimed to not remember the incident, with the run-in doing little to deter her from continuing her stealing spree for the third consecutive day.

“At approximately 7.30am, she entered (Spano’s IGA) and walked to the customer service area, picking up five packets of Winfield Blue tobacco from a storage shelf totalled at $285.78 and left without paying,” Sergeant Grafton said.

The Warwick woman was again quickly caught after IGA staff reported the theft to police, with the 22-year-old busted carrying the stolen items and with a pocket knife hidden in her wallet.

“When questioned as to why she carried the knife, she suggested it was for self-protection, cutting flowers, and that she likes knives,” Sergeant Grafton said.

Buckland’s second brush with the law in as many days did not slow her down, with the 22-year-old going back to Criterion Cellars for a third time to steal a $10.99 bottle of wine and going on to pocket a pack of cigarettes from Foodworks on February 7.

Police found Buckland at the Warwick Hospital later that day, where she surrendered the stolen cigarettes .

Defence lawyer Amber Acreman asked that her client be placed on probation to give her better access to rehabilitation and guidance, even though Buckland had failed to comply with many of the requirements of her previous order.

Buckland pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing, two of unauthorised dealing with shop goods, and one possessing a knife in a public place.

She was placed on probation for nine months and ordered to pay $65.94 restitution.

No conviction was recorded.