Lupco Ristevski to be sentenced for Wollongong purse, wallet stealing spree

A serial purse thief who preyed on elderly shoppers in various Illawarra supermarkets has faced court after using the stolen cash and cards to purchase lottery tickets, phone credit, and more.

Lupco Ristevski pleaded guilty to multiple counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage. Picture: NSW Police

A serial purse pincher who preyed on elderly shoppers in various Illawarra supermarkets has faced court after using the stolen cash and cards to purchase lottery tickets, phone credit, and more.

Lupco Ristevski, 51, appeared via video link from custody in Wollongong District Court on Tuesday for a sentence hearing on charges of stealing and four counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

He pleaded guilty in April to the offences committed in March 2023, where he targeted elderly shoppers across Wollongong.

Agreed facts state Ristevski first struck on March 16, stealing an 88-year-old woman’s purse as she sat inside Warrawong Coles.

He took $129 cash and used her MasterCard to buy $680 of phone credit.

Lupco Ristevski will learn his fate in Wollongong District Court on Thursday. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Four days later, he stole another elderly woman’s purse from her trolley at Dapto Mall, but fled when spotted, tossing the bag back to the woman.

However, this close call did not deter Ristevski, with him then nicking a 72-year-old man’s wallet from another trolley the same day.

Police released images of Lupco Ristevski during their search for him. Picture: NSW Police

He then used the stolen card on $390 of tobacco, phone credit and lottery tickets.

On March 28, Ristevski continued his snatching spree, targeting an 82-year-old woman at Corrimal Woolworths, taking her purse from her handbag.

He stole $150 cash, her pension card, driver’s licence and MasterCard, later using the card to buy $170 in lottery tickets.

In his final theft, Ristevski stole a 44-year-old woman’s wallet from her trolley on March 28, spending $275.

In total, Ristevski racked up $1515 in fraudulent purchases.

Police launched an investigation and issued a search warrant for Ristevski who had fled south to Victoria.

However, the court heard on Tuesday Ristevski continued the thieving in the southern state, but this time was caught.

He was arrested, charged, sentenced, and jailed, before being released in September 2024 where he was extradited to NSW, promptly returned to custody and charged for the 2023 Wollongong offending.

In court, Ristevski’s defence barrister said his client struggled with a long-term drug addiction that drove his crime spree.

“This offender is a person who has a long addiction history which has led to the repetition of this type of offending,” he said.

“The effects of his drug addiction leave him in this state where he is overcome and has no regard to others and the consequences.”

Judge Georgia Turner acknowledged his addiction, but said it raised public safety concerns.

“I accept there’s evidence of some remorse, but is there evidence of full remorse?” she said.

“He certainly wasn’t remorseful at the time.”

However, Ristevski urged the court he was working to turn his life around.

“I’m ashamed of what I’ve done,” he said.

“I’m very, very sorry.”

Judge Turner will deliver judgment on Thursday.

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