A South Australian woman will face the Adelaide Magistrates' Court today (15 August, 2025) charged with allegedly stealing items from retail stores at both Adelaide and Cairns airports, as well as allegedly travelling under a false name.
AFP officers were patrolling Adelaide Airport on 3 June, 2025, when they allegedly witnessed the woman, 40, take an item from a retail store and leave without paying.
The officers approached and questioned the woman and, after making further inquiries with assistance from AFP officers in Cairns - allegedly identified she was in possession of multiple items that had allegedly been stolen from retail stores in both Adelaide and Cairns airports.
The total value of the goods allegedly stolen was about $1000.
AFP inquiries also revealed the woman had allegedly travelled from Cairns to Adelaide under a false name.
The woman was arrested, and charged with:
Three counts of theft, contrary to section 134 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA), as applied by section 4 of the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is ten years' imprisonment; and
One count of travelling using false identification information, contrary to section 376.4(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 12 months' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Gavin Stone said the AFP was committed to preventing any criminal activity in airports or involving air travel.
"The AFP's airport policing teams work closely with the public and our partners to detect, deter and prosecute crimes at Australia's major airports," Det Supt Stone said.
"Ensuring the safety and security of everyone on flights and at airports, including those operating retail stores, remains a key focus for the AFP."
