Alleged flat tyre scam suspect hit with lengthy list of charges

He allegedly preyed on elderly women by letting down their tyres. Now a so-called “Good Samaritan” has been charged over alleged scams which netted him thousands.

The man police claim is responsible for a “Good Samaritan” scam that swept parts of Adelaide allegedly targeted 14 different people and stole more than $20,000 in cash and goods.

Police arrested Dudley Park man Raymond Neil Pinnington over the ploy in which he allegedly targeted elderly victims for more than a year, letting their car tyres down before offering to help.

Police will allege as Mr Pinnington offered to help change the tyre, while another man, a 41-year-old from Campbelltown, would play a role in the alleged scam.

He was charged with illegal use, but his exact alleged involvement remains unclear.

The result, police will allege, would see Mr Pinnington, 40, come away with bank cards and details of his alleged victims which he would then use to “commit fraudulent transactions”.

Gloria Roberts shared her experience just days before Mr Pinnington was eventually arrested. Picture: Supplied. Picture: Supplied

Mr Pinnington’s arrest came just days after The Advertiser revealed Gloria Roberts had fallen to a scam at the Sefton Plaza shopping centre.

Mrs Roberts’s daughter Kylie said her 73-year-old mother had been left shaken by the experience, and upon arriving home had realised her tyre’s nuts were not even tightened.

Mr Pinnington has since been hit with a litany of charges including 21 counts of dishonestly dealing with property without consent, nine of deceiving another to benefit himself, six of interfering with a motor vehicle, one of dishonestly dealing with documents and one of driving at a dangerous speed.

According to court documents, Mr Pinnington’s alleged crime spree started in August 2021 and continued across the west and north of Adelaide until January 25.

During that time, the documents allege, he carried out 11 deceptions, six fuel thefts, robbed Bunnings three times, and carried out a brazen beer heist in which he stole 15 kegs of beer from the Parafield Gardens Community Club.

Gloria Roberts allegedly had her handbag stolen in an elaborate flat tyre scam at Sefton Plaza. Picture: Supplied

Gloria Roberts’s tyre was allegedly spiked at Sefton Plaza. Picture: Supplied

According to the documents, Mr Pinnington allegedly stole a combined $20,076.15 and had 14 different victims spanning from Angle Vale to Ashford and including Cavan, Bolivar, Kilburn, Croydon, Prospect, Gepps Cross and Parafield Gardens.

The documents allege one of the men embroiled in the alleged crime spree was ripped off $4700 after being deceived by Mr Pinnington, while another had more than $2000 taken in three transactions.

Appearing in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court last week, Mr Pinnington was denied bail and will next face court later this year.