Elizabeth Marie Maynes sentenced for drug heist in fake police uniform

Frightened pharmacy workers were forced to follow the demands of a woman armed with a knife who pretended to be a federal police officer during an “organised” drug heist.

Frightened pharmacy workers were forced to oblige the demands of a woman who armed herself with a knife and pretended to be a federal police officer during an “organised” drug heist.

Elizabeth Marie Maynes was sentenced to a two-year probation order in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday after she robbed a Maroochy Waters pharmacy on April 8, 2021.

The court heard the former security guard used parts of her old uniform and purchased other items including a fake police vest to pose as a federal officer.

“(Maynes) also had a face covering and a radio that she appeared to speak into to legitimise her claims of being a federal police officer,” Police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said

Senior Constable Lambert said the now 37-year-old told workers she was a federal officer and needed to see the drug safe before getting away with 370 tablets of prescription medication.

Constable Lambert told the court workers weren’t convinced Maynes was an officer, but had seen a knife in her waist band and what they thought was a gun.

“She was fearful of … Maynes’ behaviour and complied with the direction,” she said.

Maynes, who was still dressed in her costume, was quickly arrested while driving away from the pharmacy.

Constable Lambert described the offending as “protracted and organised”.

“It wasn’t a spur of the moment offence,” she said.

“She has had to obtain all of these items and has … carried out the offending in calm and organised manner.”

Elizabeth Marie Maynes robbed a Denna Street pharmacy at 12.15pm on April 8 while wearing an imitation police uniform and armour. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

Constable Lambert suggested a 12 to 18-month prison sentence was in range and said it was a matter for the court how it was fashioned.

“Representing as a police officer as a method of stealing will not be tolerated,” Constable Lambert said.

Maynes pleaded guilty on January 19 to five offences including personating public officers, stealing, and carrying exposed weapon in public.

Solicitor Patrick Meehan said mental health reports showed Maynes was diagnosed with mental health illnesses and was most likely in a dissociated state at the time of the robbery.

Mr Meehan said Maynes had developed a drug dependence through treatment of chronic back pain that arose after she fell down a flight of stairs.

He said the mother had also been separated from her children and was grieving the loss of her mother and cousin at the time.

Mr Meehan suggested a probation order would benefit Maynes’ rehabilitation and asked for a conviction not to be recorded.

He said the offending wasn’t “particularly organised” as the 37-year-old used her own car and made no attempts to conceal her identity by using her own security ID badge during the offence.

The court heard the stolen drugs were for personal use.

“I’m going to categorise this as an attempt to obtain a healthy dose of medication to self medicate,” Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said.

Mr Stjernqvist told the court Maynes had previously been sentenced to two probation orders in relation to three common assault offences.

He said while serious the robbery was “an unusual offence doomed to fail”.

Mr Stjernqvist imposed the probation order given the explanation behind the offending and medical reports.

Convictions were not recorded.