Mailbox thief had cards in her car
A GEELONG West woman has been fined $1500 after police found a stolen credit card, stolen mail, drugs and an expandable baton in her car.
The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday Cynthia Dinaro, 28, was sprung in Grey St, East Geelong, on May 9 last year, where police found 38 stolen letters and parcels in her Blue Honda sedan about 3.50pm.
The court was told the items had been sorted into piles relating to their usefulness for identity theft, and some of the stolen letters were from banks, the Australian Tax Office, Medicare and superannuation firms.
Police prosecutor Chris Capuano said police received a report of a woman taking mail out of letterboxes in April.
“(She was) observed taking mail out of a number of letterboxes and placing it in her pocket,” Leading Senior Constable Capuano said.
Dinaro pleaded guilty to stealing mail between April 1 and April 19.
Dinaro’s defence lawyer told the court her client was living in her car and had experienced a relationship breakdown at the time of the offending. “This is an isolated period and one she doesn’t want to relive,” the lawyer said.
“While she was living in her car she was influenced by a friend who has a history of stealing mail and acted basically in desperation.”
The lawyer told the court Dinaro drove a car while her female friend stole the mail.
But Sen-Constable Capuano said: “(Dinaro) was by herself when found. She didn’t indicate that anyone else was involved at the time.”
Dinaro pleaded guilty to mail theft, handling stolen goods and possessing ecstasy.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said the offending was thought out, thorough and focused. He fined and convicted Dinaro.