Stanislav Karmychkin in court for stealing
When staff disappeared into the kitchen at this Bruce Highway service station, a nearby caravan park tenant got busy. This is what happened.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 39-year-old courier driver was fined for stealing cigarettes at a Gympie region service station and hiding stolen food goods in his pants.
Stanislav Karmychkin pleaded guilty to one count of stealing in Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday.
Karmychkin was a regular customer at Golden Nugget Service Truck Stop in Kybong as well as a tenant of the attached caravan park, police prosecutor Melissa Campbell said.
The court heard he entered the service station on August 12, 2022 and spoke with the staff at the front counter.
After the staff member disappeared into the kitchen, Karmychkin snuck behind the counter and opened a drawer.
Out of the drawer he took two packs of cigarettes, putting them in his trouser pockets before returning to the front counter, the court heard.
He was soon back for more.
After sneaking out a third pack, the staff member returned and spoke with Karmychkin to pay his rent.
Instead of leaving the service station, Karmychkin loitered around the shelves before stuffing a packet of beef jerky into his trousers, the court was told.
He was confronted by a witness as he neared the counter again and replied he was doing “nothing”, saying it was fine to check CCTV footage.
In total, he stole $125.90 worth of goods from the Gold Nugget Service Truck Stop, the court heard.
He returned the cigarettes to the business, but in a puzzling fashion, hiding them under the Swap and Go cage for gas cylinders for the staff to find, and leaving them all damaged and unable to be sold, the court heard.
Duty lawyer Chris Anderson said Karmychkin was intoxicated during the incident but did not drink frequently.
“It was a silly venture on his behalf,” Mr Anderson said.
Karmychkin is employed as a courier driver, Mr Anderson said
He was fined $400 and ordered to pay full restitution for the stolen goods. A conviction was recorded.
Hervey Bay tobacco shops shut in landmark illegal cigarette case
In a landmark decision and a victory for Qld Health, six tobacco stores will be closed for months after they were raided and found to be selling illegal smokes and vapes.
Shaved head, ‘pretend’ chemo: Cancer scammer’s Blue Card bid
A brazen Qld liar who scammed people out of money via a years-long cancer hoax wants the state’s administrative watchdog to allow her to look after children.