Denia Van Nimwegen stole from Last Wave Water Sports Gladstone and two Rockhampton businesses

A woman with an “extensive history” of dishonesty and property offences has faced court after stealing from Gladstone and Rockhampton businesses.

A woman was busted by Gladstone police with $1000 worth of alcohol in her car which she had stolen from a Rockhampton bottle shop.

Denia Van Nimwegen, 45, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Friday to seven charges including two counts of stealing.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Carl Spargo indicated from the outset that the prosecution believed Van Nimwegen should receive a prison sentence where actual time was served.

“The magnitude of the defendant’s offending is heightened because she had only just finished parole for stealing offences before committing these offences,” Snr Const Spargo said.

“She was also the subject of a suspended sentence for stealing and numerous fraud offences at the time of committing the current offences.”

Snr Const Spargo outlined the worst of Van Nimwegen’s offending, which occurred on June 24, 2021, about 3.40pm.

Police intercepted Van Nimwegen on Kirkwood Road, Gladstone, in relation to her manner of driving.

During conversation with Van Nimwegen and her passenger, police detained both of them for a search of the car.

During the search, police located two bottles of alcohol, one valued at $188, perfume, sunglasses, bangles, hairpins, earrings and coloured rings.

Van Nimwegen stated she was at Stockland Rockhampton earlier that morning and she got the items from an unknown woman.

However, upon further questioning by police, Van Nimwegen refused to answer any further questions and was subsequently issued a notice to appear in court.

Van Nimwegen’s stealing spree was not finished there though, as she targeted Last Wave Water Sports Gladstone on October 7, 2021, about midday.

She approached a sunglasses cabinet and pulled on the screen when she realised the lock on the door had not been appropriately sealed.

Van Nimwegen opened the cabinet and took a pair of sunglasses from the cabinet and placed them on her head.

She proceeded to walk around the store for a period of time before walking towards the exit.

An off-duty police officer called out to Van Nimwegen to stay put as she was aware Van Nimwegen had not paid for the sunglasses.

Van Nimwegen ignored the officer and walked out of the store before being apprehended.

Van Nimwegen told police she was “opportunistic” and she saw the cabinet was open and took the sunglasses.

Acting Magistrate Leanne Scoines acknowledged Van Nimwegen had spent 45 days in pre-sentence custody and she was released on a six-month probation order. Convictions were recorded.