Shannen Rhianne Swift in court for Bunnings Yeppoon theft

Staff at a Yeppoon Bunnings store lowered boom gates in a bid to trap two thieves but one of them still got away.

Shannen Rhianne Swift faced Yeppoon Magistrates Court after she was busted stealing from a Bunnings store.

A mother of three has faced court after quick-thinking Bunnings staff caught her in a “pre-planned” store theft that went wrong.

Shannen Rhianne Swift, 29, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on May 4 to stealing.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said about 4.55pm on December 21 last year, police were called to Bunnings Yeppoon in relation to a stealing matter “currently in progress.”

Sgt Ongheen said when police arrived, staff told them that Swift was with a man and they had driven into the “trade entrance” in a Holden Commodore.

The court heard Swift was in the front passenger seat.

Sgt Ongheen said the duo went into the store and in the electronics section, Swift selected a security camera pack plus home base, valued at $579.

Swift then selected a security video product worth $799 and put both items in her plastic carry basket, the court heard.

Sgt Ongheen said that in the tools section, the man selected a socket set valued at $385.

The prosecutor said both Swift and the man then went to their vehicle with the items and attempted to drive from the store without paying.

Sgt Ongheen said staff then lowered boom gates to “surround the vehicle” and stop the pair from leaving the store.

When staff asked the pair to show proof of purchase, Swift and the man argued with them.

Sgt Ongheen said the man then ran and he escaped before police got there, but Swift remained at the scene and when spoken to by police, she gave “a vague version” of what had happened.

She was arrested and subsequently charged.

The prosecution did not seek restitution as all of the items were recovered.

The court heard Swift did not have similar offending on her four-page criminal history.

Solicitor Lauren Townsend said Swift, a mother of three, had worked as a registered nurse until 2017.

Ms Townsend said Swift was currently medicated for PTSD and anxiety.

“She is quite disheartened about how this occurred,” Ms Townsend said.

“She said things had been going well - she had been clean for the past 12 months.

“She’s got two shifts a week at the Glenmore Tavern and she’s volunteering at the Archer Street railway museum.”

Ms Townsend said Swift had only known her alleged co-offender for a brief time and the Bunnings theft had been “pre-planned.”

She said Swift “went along with it” but had remained at the store when police became involved.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale placed Swift on six months’ probation and a conviction was recorded.