A 31-year-old Kilburn man appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday (9 June 2022) to face charges relating to a series of thefts from retail stores at the Adelaide Airport.
The man was arrested last month by AFP officers after allegedly stealing electronic devices from a store inside the Adelaide Airport Terminal.
It will be alleged in court that the man stole three "Go-Pro" video cameras from an airport store on 24 April (2022), before returning on 1 May to steal a drone. The man was allegedly linked to both thefts through an extensive review of CCTV footage by AFP officers. This review also identified the man had parked his car in a carpark near the airport.
The man allegedly returned to the store on 3 May, and he was tracked by AFP officers and arrested on Sir Richard Williams Avenue, a short distance from the airport terminal. The man was found to be in possession of two drones that police will allege had just been stolen from the store. A subsequent search of the man's car located collectible playing cards also suspected of being stolen property.
A 32-year-old Enfield woman entered the store at the same time as the man on 3 May and was suspected of acting as a decoy to facilitate the theft of the drones. She was located by AFP officers a short time later and arrested when she was found in possession of collectible playing cards suspected to be stolen property.
The combined value of the allegedly stolen property was $8,600.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Stone praised the diligent work of the AFP officers who conducted the investigation.
"The AFP targets the criminal environment at Adelaide Airport, and anti-social behavior, including theft, which impacts upon business owners, travellers and the general public," he said.
"Stolen goods can be sold or exchanged, and that money helps fund the criminal economy which leads to escalating criminal activity that impacts negatively upon society."
The 31-year-old man has been charged with:
- three counts of theft, contrary to section 134 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (SA);
one count of unlawful possession, contrary to section 41 of the Summary Offences Act (SA); The maximum penalty for these offences is ten years and two years' imprisonment respectively.
The 32 -year-old woman has been charged with:
- one count of theft, contrary to section 134 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (SA);
- one count of unlawful possession, contrary to section 41 of the Summary Offences Act (SA);
