Anthony John Winkelmann in Maroochydore court for stealing cars, fuel
A father who pretended to help a stranger hook their car up to a camper trailer before driving off has been given jail time for his calculated crimes. Read about his other thefts:
Sunshine Coast
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A Morayfield father-of-two has been punished for driving off with four different cars using “trickery”, while also stealing over $2000 in food and fuel.
The first theft by Anthony John Winkelmann, 59, involved him riding in a Suncoast Cab and tricking the driver into believing that he had a leg problem on December 12, 2019.
The court heard Winkelmann asked the driver to retrieve a package from a house for him and once the driver had left the taxi, Winkelmann drove off in it.
Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said Winkelmann's next target was a stranger who was reversing their car to hook up a camper trailer.
“He offered to assist … once in position the defendant has driven off in the vehicle while the complainant was looking at manipulating the trailer onto the vehicle,” Sergeant Ruddiman said.
Winkelmann didn’t stop there as his next victim agreed to let him drive them both to the Gold Coast.
When the pair attended a BP service station at Silverstone, the victim got out of his vehicle to get food and once he returned Winkelmann had driven off.
His fourth and final victim had been asked to retrieve a parcel for Winkelmann and while they were doing so, he took their car.
Sergeant Ruddiman told the court Winkelmann had also stolen $1890 in food from Coles at Nambour, as well as $983.05 in stolen fuel from different petrol stations across South East Queensland.
Solicitor Rachel Holland said Winkelmann had been abused in his earlier years and he didn’t want to offend anymore.
“He is confined to a wheelchair now … all the offending is consistent with someone who has been using drugs his entire life,” Ms Holland said.
Winkelmann pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, 17 counts of stealing, four counts of receiving tainted property and dangerous operation in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist sentenced Winkelmann to 12 months’ prison, to be released on parole on May 3, 2022.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months. Convictions were recorded.
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