Lester Lonsdale: Moruya man pleads guilty to years-long stealing spree across NSW

A South Coast man banned from entering any Woolworths in NSW for over a decade has pleaded guilty to stealing groceries and top-shelf liquor from several stores over the past three years.

A Moruya man banned from entering Woolworth stores throughout the state for more than a decade has pleaded guilty to stealing groceries and top-shelf liquor worth more than $2000 from numerous stores across the South Coast and Southern NSW.

Lester Lonsdale was charged with 10 counts of larceny, five counts of entering property without permission, two counts each of driving whilst uninsured and in an unregistered car while disqualified, and resisting arrest after being apprehended by Batemans Bay Police earlier this year.

The 26-year-old “prolific and habitual offender” has been charged 26 times in the past eight years for 60 sequences including more than 20 counts of shoplifting and larceny, according to agreed police facts, accruing imprisonment terms totalling five years and one month.

The unemployed father-of-two’s crime spree netting him thousands of dollars in goods has been revealed in detail for the first time, with police documents seen by The South Coast News detailing how Lester stole from stores throughout the state.

The crime spree began when Lester, who is also currently serving a community corrections order until April 2023, robbed the BWS store in Jordan Springs three times over one year, beginning in November 2020 when he bolted from the store with a $48 Jim Beam Gift Pack.

Two months later, he returned with his partner.

“Lester was walking down the spirits aisle and where he picked up a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam Double Oak valued at $55 and, while walking to the rear of the store, lifts his shirt and puts the bottle into his waistband,” police documents state.

“Lester then conceals the bottle by lowering his shirt (and) exits the store slowly with his partner.”

Lester Lonsdale pleaded guilty to 10 counts of larceny at the Batemans Bay Local Court. Picture: Facebook

Returning later that year, Lester is confronted by an employee.

“A staff member asks Lester to leave as he had previously stolen from the store,” the documents state.

“Lester replied: ‘Have I?’ before walking over to the spirits area where the shop assistant again tells the accused he cannot be in the store.

“Lester then picks up a 1L bottle of Bundaberg Rum valued at $65 from the shelf and turns to exit the store. Lester pushes past the shop assistant, who is at the exit, causing her to hold her arm to block him. Lester manoeuvres past the assistant and leaves the store.”

Police subsequently attempted to locate Lester, but failed to do so. A pattern which is repeated throughout the next two years.

In May 2022, Lester was seen on CCTV stealing an $111 bottle of Hennessey VSOP from the top shelf of the Moruya Woolworths BWS store.

The following month, Lester returned to the popular supermarket chain despite being informed of a police-imposed ban.

“About 11.23am on June 1, Lester entered the Woolworths in Moruya via the southern entrance and at the time was wearing a face mask covering the lower portion of his face,” police documents state.

“The accused attends various aisles at the southern end of the store before exiting five minutes later. He exists the store at a quick pace with the trolley seen to contain various grocery and food items, evaluated at $200.”

At about 4pm, Lester returns via the same entrance, again pushing the trolley and wearing the same apparel.

“Lester exits the store three minutes later again with grocery and food items sighted inside the trolley,” the documents state.

“He leaves in a hurry via the entry point at which time the entry gates were secured open as they were inoperable.

“The items were again estimated at $200. On this occasion, nappies, food and meat appeared to be the items of choice.”

On June 2, police were alerted that Lester had again re-entered Woolworths Moruya before leaving with two bags full of meat products.

“At about 6.25pm the same day, police were patrolling the Moruya area when they observed a Silver Ford Territory at the service station on the Princes Hwy, Coila. This vehicle is similar to the one owned by Lester’s partner,” police facts state.

“Police observed the partner to be in the passenger seat, with Lester out of the vehicle and a significant quantity of meat products and grocery bags spread out around the passenger side of the vehicle.”

Police approached Lester before a hand was placed on his shoulder and he was informed he was under arrest.

“Upon hearing of the offences, Lester attempted to break the grip of police and run from the location to evade custody,” the documents state.

“Police were able to maintain their grip and wrestle him to the ground where the violent resistance continued. He was handcuffed and put in the rear of the caged vehicle. $900 in goods were recovered and returned to Woolworths for destruction.”

Lester admitted while in custody to the thefts, as well as subsequent driving offences.

Shoppers outside Woolworths. Picture NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Only a month later, though, Lester was again seen entering Woolworths in Narooma.

“Lester moved throughout the store filling a large trolley with over $500 in goods,” police documents state.

“Lester then pushed the trolley at speed through the main entry doors and out of the store.

“About 3.30pm 5.7.22, the accused again entered Woolworths Narooma in the company of a female person. Lester moved throughout the store half filling a large trolley with over $250 in goods.

“Along with the female, Lester pushed the trolley at speed through the main entry doors and out of the store.”

Lester was arrested and placed into custody on remand on July 10. He was later refused bail.

Lester will appear before Batemans Bay Local Court on September 9 for sentencing.