Cleaner stole mobile phone from Gracemere workplace

Security cameras at the Gracemere business caught the woman out.

A cleaner stole a mobile phone from a workplace after hours. Generic photo: Thinkstock.

A cleaner working at a Gracemere business after office hours was caught on security cameras stealing a staff member’s mobile phone.

Linda Joy Wehlow, 60, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Monday, July 12, to the theft.

The court heard that on May 27, between 6pm and 10pm, Wehlow was working for a company contracted to clean the Toll building at Gracemere.

During her shift, Wehlow saw a Samsung mobile phone on an employee’s desk.

The phone was connected to a phone charger which had a “test and tag” label on it.

Security camera footage showed Wehlow going about her job as usual, but when she left the building, the phone charger cord could be seen hanging out of her pocket.

On June 10, police searched Wehlow’s residence and found the stolen mobile phone, which had a distinguishing case, and charger.

Police officers saw “sticky marks” on the charger cord which was indicative of having a “test and tag” label on it.

The phone was identified as belonging to the staffer at the Gracemere business and it was returned.

Magistrate Jason Schubert noted that Wehlow had a previous stealing offence on her history from 1990, but due to that being so dated he did not place relevance on it.

He fined Wehlow $700 and a conviction was recorded.

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