A Florey woman has been charged with theft after she allegedly stole a credit card and went on a $670 shopping spree, 12 hours after being granted bail on knife and separate theft offences.
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Delphine Maree Charles, 31, was arrested on Friday after police received calls from a man saying his wallet was missing from his home and a bankcard had been used, and a Canberra Centre retailer reported a suspicious failed use of a Coles Mastercard.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard evidence from a police constable on Saturday that a bankcard had been declined in Rebel Sport and ID presented did not match the failed card, with CCTV footage used to identify Ms Charles.
The mother of three was arrested after being located at a Tradies Club on Friday with two pairs of gold clip-on earrings, two necklaces, one silver ring and a bracelet, the court heard.
Arresting officer Constable Scott Irwin said Ms Charles had said she was under the influence of a drug when she was located.
The constable said another man, who had also attended the alleged victim’s home with Ms Charles, was located separately and had made a statement where he denied taking the wallet.
A lawyer for Ms Charles said this man may have been responsible for the credit card theft.
The prosecutor told Magistrate Bernadette Boss that Ms Charles had been granted bail 12 hours earlier after being allegedly found on Thursday with a 25 centimetre double-edged silver knife without a permit, and a second knife with two 10 centimetre blades. Charges for these two offences, and for allegedly attempting to steal $400 cash on the same day, were read to the court on Saturday.
The prosecutor opposed bail on the grounds of a likelihood the defendant would commit further offences, with a criminal history in the ACT and NSW going back a decade and multiple offences of failing to appear.
Magistrate Boss said given the family circumstances – with the defendant the sole carer for three children under 15 years of age – and “cultural considerations” it was appropriate to grant bail, with conditions imposed including a requirement to report to police daily ahead of a court date on June 27.
Earlier, another woman was granted bail after being charged with the theft of five Blaq brand jackets worth a combined $998 from the Myer store at Canberra Centre.
