Mum’s pram raid on stores

A SERIAL shoplifter and mother-of-four used her pram to conceal hundreds of dollars in stolen goods, including a $500 Dyson vacuum cleaner, after hitting seven different stores.

Alicia Jane Larsen-Smith, 35, covered her face yesterday and pushed a baby in a her pram as she left Southport Magistrates Court, where she pleaded guilty to seven stealing charges.

The “pram bandit” was sentenced to three months’ jail, which was suspended for nine months.

Magistrate Donald MacKenzie did not order LarsenSmith to pay compensation due to her dire financial situation.

“I do so with reluctance because I have a great deal of sympathy for businesses (targeted by shoplifters),” he said.

Most of the items were clothes. Larsen-Smith claimed she stole them because she did not have access to a washing machine.

Larsen-Smith began her theft spree six months ago when she walked into Target at Westfield in Helensvale in mid-October, taking a number of items of baby clothes and bottles before putting them in a black bag in her pram.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Matt Brooks said Larsen-Smith made no attempt to pay as she left the store.

Larsen-Smith was captured on CCTV about 2.15pm on October 10 removing security tags from a number of shirts at Lacoste at Harbour Town Shopping Centre before placing them in her pram.

Months later on January 29, Larsen-Smith brazenly walked into Big W at Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, placed a $499 vacuum cleaner on top of the pram and walked out without paying.

She also took more than $200 in gift packs from Lush on the same day.

Sen-Const Brooks said on March 7, Larsen-Smith went to three stores in Westfield Helensvale – Supre, Cotton On and Valley girl – and took a number of clothes and walked from the stores without paying.

She stashed the clothes in her car.

Larsen-Smith was caught attempting to do the same at Target. She led police to the stolen clothes in her car.

Defence lawyer Jessie Challal, of Legal Aid Queensland, said Larsen-Smith was leaving an abusive relationship and had moved to the Gold Coast from northern NSW in an effort to start afresh.

Ms Challal said LarsenSmith was living with friends and relatives at the time.

“She is extremely embarrassed,” she said.