Andrew Kublins stole $8000 worth of goods from Coles stores across Sydney

A man walked in and out of Coles stores across Sydney, packing a shoulder bag full of items from razors to painkillers, taking off with $8000 worth of goods over 19 months.

A Mittagong man shamelessly stole more than $8000 from multiple Coles supermarkets across Sydney, walking out with a shoulder bag full of goodies ranging from razors, painkillers, suntan lotion and lip balm.

Andrew James Kublins, 33, faced Picton Local Court on May 25 charged with 39 counts of larceny ranging from February 2019 to September 2020.

At the time of the offending Kublins was working as a Ranger at Bayside Council earning $1000 per week paying child support for three children aged 11, seven and one, the court heard.

Andrew Kublins stole more than $8000 from court. Picture: Lauren Ferri

On multiple occasions he walked into stores carrying a black satchel on his shoulder and often put Nurofen or Panadol in the bag before walking out via a closed register, according to court documents.

In some instances Kublins would exit through the self-checkout and pay for just one water bottle or a packet of chips.

The theft occurred across Sydney from Sylvania to Rouse Hill, Waterloo, Revesby, Kellyville, Chipping Norton, Denham Court, Kings Langley, Illawong, Kirrawee and Baulkham Hills.

On one occasion at Rouse Hill, Kublins paid for just one packet of chips and a bottle of water but had stashed $600 worth of suntan lotion, Panadol and lip balms in his bag.

Court documents revealed Kublins always used the black shoulder bag to store the items, including one day where he paid cash for hommus and water but stole $500 worth of razors.

Andrew Kublins stole from multiple Coles stores across Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

In another instance he picked up toilet paper and meat from the deli section, put them in a reusable plastic bag before picking some flowers from the front and walking out of the store.

On some occasions, court documents stated he would pretend to be on his mobile phone or was carrying a child as he brazenly walked out of the supermarket.

According to court documents Kublins also stole $275 worth of baby formula and health and body products at Sylvania Coles.

Each charge was captured on CCTV with the total value stolen from Coles over 19 months adding up to $8370.

Kublins was supported by his mother during his court appearance where the court heard he had embarked on a rehabilitation program and had received psychological intervention.

Magistrate Mark Douglass conceded the 33-year-old had crossed the threshold and “the community may be better off sending him to jail”.

Andrew Kublins outside Picton Local Court on May 25. Picture: Lauren Ferri

The 33-year-old’s mother sobbed as Magistrate Douglass said it was a difficult matter as there were so many charges.

“Some are worth $25 for flowers, plastic bags but then there’s others that are worth $500,” he said.

“My view is the court would have no alternative but to send you to full time prison, do you understand?”

Magistrate Douglass told Kublins he had caused “a lot of people inconvenience and loss” and it cost the state “millions and millions of dollars”.

The Magistrate acknowledged Kublins had worked to rehabilitate himself and he had shown remorse but the charges before the court were “serious”.

Kublins was sentenced to 1 month imprisonment for each charge but after an early plea discount, the total sentence came to 26 months in prison to be served by way of Intensive Corrections Order.