300+ crimes: Dodgy dealings of Warwick thieves exposed – full list

From a serial thief who stole a swag of goods from a charity organisation to a mum of five caught red-handed in a brazen stealing attempt, the Warwick residents guilty of theft and their crimes can be revealed. SEE THE FULL LIST:

From brazen burglaries and break-ins to stealing sprees, cases of theft remain among the most prevalent and serious to come through the Warwick courts.

Data from the Queensland Police Service reveals 307 thefts have been committed in the Warwick district within the past year, up from the 210 that took place in the previous 12-month time frame.

Close to half of these thefts were reported between January and March alone, with an average of 40.5 thefts recorded each month during the spike nearly doubling the number reported throughout the rest of the year.

While theft totals have dropped back to between 22 and 30 per month since April, these figures have remained consistently higher than this time last year, with Warwick police receiving almost-daily reports of businesses or homes across the town being targeted by thieves.

Statistics indicate the most popular spot for offenders to strike remains Rose City Shoppingworld and the surrounding businesses, with 66 thefts reported at the site in the past year.

This figure accounts for more than half of the total offences committed in the area.

Business zones throughout the Warwick town centre have also been heavily targeted within this period, including Albion St with 35 thefts, Palmerin St with 21, and Grafton St with 12.

These increasing numbers have seen a stack of theft cases brought before the Warwick courts recently, ranging from serial thieves going on a stealing spree to destructive break-ins and more.

See a list of the most notable cases covered in the past year below:

Aimee Pearl Haynes

A Warwick mother of two with almost 20 previous convictions for dishonesty offences was slapped with a suspended jail sentence after she was nabbed stealing from a well-loved charity organisation and several major retailers in the same day.

Aimee Pearl Haynes first targeted The Lighthouse Community Centre on February 8, filling a bag with clothing and jewellery that she then took from the store without paying.

Warwick Magistrates Court was told the 32-year-old had been asked only moments earlier by a member of staff whether she intended to pay for the goods, and had claimed she was going outside to have a look at other stock before making her way to the register.

Haynes then flouted a year-long ban from Rose City Shoppingworld to go to Big W, where she stole an air conditioner worth $99, then made her way to Priceline and pocketed a $9.95 face mask.

She was also busted with a brass pipe used for smoking marijuana when she was taken into custody.

Haynes pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing and one count each of possessing a drug utensil, trespassing, and failing to appear.

She was sentenced to four months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

FULL STORY HERE

Catherine Anne Hammond

A Warwick woman earned a date with the magistrate when she was busted trying to smuggle stolen jewellery out of a store by stashing it up her dress.

Catherine Anne Hammond selected two packs of earrings worth $15.95 in total when she visited Priceline pharmacy on January 21, deliberately moving out of the view of staff members and stowing the jewellery beneath her dress and leaving the store.

Police soon caught up with the 44-year-old and took her to the Warwick watch-house, where she was found to be carrying 0.6g marijuana and 1.2g amphetamines on her person.

Hammond pleaded guilty to one count each of unauthorised dealing with shop goods under $150 and possessing dangerous drugs.

She was fined $300 and ordered to pay full restitution.

FULL STORY HERE

Keith John Dyball

A convicted meth trafficker was sentenced to even more jail time after he stole $15,000 in cash from a criminal associate and coached another man through a brazen break-in.

Keith John Dyball was caught via phone intercept telling another man how to break into the Queenslander Hotel at Goondiwindi in October, 2019, telling the other man “this had to be the night” to carry out the theft.

Warwick District Court heard Dyball’s accomplice cut a padlock and smashed several windows to force entry to the building, then pulled down the security systems before unsuccessfully attempting to steal a safe.

It was only weeks later that Dyball and another co-accused went to the home of a person he was sourcing meth from while involved in a drug trafficking ring, with Dyball waiting until he was alone at the scene to go inside and steal the $15,000.

Dyball pleaded guilty to one count each of break and enter, wilful damage, burglary, and stealing.

He was sentenced to three years’ jail to be served alongside his existing term, with eligibility for parole from June 7.

FULL STORY HERE

Eddie Matthew Sutherland

A Warwick man who stole from a busy bottle shop and broke into his neighbour’s shed has claimed his offending was driven by his serious alcoholism.

Eddie Matthew Sutherland went to the Criterion Cellars store in Rose City Shoppingworld on March 9, picking up a premix scotch can and consuming the drink still in the shop.

The 49-year-old landed in hot water again later that month when he let himself into the backyard of a Wood St home and destroyed the lock on the door to the property’s back shed to gain entry.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard Sutherland took a carton of XXXX Gold beer and a six-pack of Vodka Cruisers from the fridge, which combined with the damage to the lock left the victim $123.85 out of pocket.

Sutherland pleaded guilty to one count each of entering premises and committing an indictable offence and unauthorised dealing with shop goods valued under $150.

He was placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to pay full restitution.

FULL STORY HERE

Wayne Christopher McAuley

A Warwick man who smashed his way into the town’s post office and racked up thousands of dollars’ worth in damages and stolen goods narrowly avoided a stint behind bars.

Wayne Christopher McAuley forced his way into the building in February last year, stuffing 31 new mobile phones and other electronic items such as AirPods into his bag, making off with a swag worth $6191.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard the then-38-year-old virtually handed himself in during his hurried escape, with police finding a bag and ID belonging to McAuley in an alcove behind the post office.

McAuley pleaded guilty to entering premises and committing an indictable offence.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ jail with immediate release on parole and ordered to pay $2000 of the total $7649 owed in restitution.

FULL STORY HERE

Taylah Sherrie Lecomber

A serial thief landed in hot water once again when she was busted trying to smuggle a box of laxatives out of a busy Warwick pharmacy.

Taylah Sherrie Lecomber paid for most of her items when she visited Priceline on February 26 last year, but removed a tag at the bottom of the box of laxatives and stashed it in her trolley as she left the store.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard it was the third such offence committed by the mother of five within the 12 months leading to her court date, with Lecomber previously defrauding a fellow mum on Facebook and stealing dozens of items from Target.

Lecomber pleaded guilty to one count of stealing. She was fined $300 and ordered to pay $15.49 in restitution.

FULL STORY HERE