Stephen Robinson appears at the Seymour Magistrates’ Court over alleged credit card fraud

Unaware a Gladstone man allegedly had a stolen credit card on him, kind-hearted police gave him a lift to a Kilmore train station after he missed the bus.

An alleged fraudster went on a spending frenzy across Victoria after breaking into a car and stealing a credit card, a court has heard.

Stephen Robinson appeared at the Seymour Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with credit card fraud and breaking and entering a motor vehicle.

Police prosecutors told the court the 29-year-old Gladstone man was in Kilmore visiting his partner when he walked to Grey St and stole a credit card from an unlocked Toyota station wagon on August 21, 2021.

He then headed to the Powlett United service station in Kilmore, spending $40 on the card, the court heard.

That night, after Mr Robinson had missed his bus, kind hearted police drove him to the train station where he allegedly used the stolen card to put $10 on a Myki before paying $83 for a taxi to Broadmeadows instead.

Back in Melbourne, prosecutors said he spent a further $347 across multiple stores including a Coles Express in Campbellfield and a 7Eleven in Tullamarine.

When the owner of the card discovered the suspicious transactions, the card was cancelled and police began investigating.

After reviewing the CCTV at the Kilmore service station, police arrested Mr Robinson in December 2021.

When asked if the CCTV was of him, Mr Robinson denied the allegations.

“Nah it’s too blurry, I can’t confirm it’s me — you’re gonna have to continue your investigation,” Mr Robinson told police.

Magistrate Victoria Campbell adjourned the matter until later this month.

“You’re in a very precarious position today,” Ms Campbell told Mr Robinson.