Keysborough woman stole cars, shoplifted to ‘keep boyfriend happy’
A young Keysborough woman went on a month-long Bonnie and Clyde-style theft spree, stealing cars from outside gyms across the southeast with her boyfriend to “keep him happy”. But it was a $3.50 Bubble O-Bill ice cream that put her behind bars.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Keysborough woman was trying to “keep her boyfriend happy” when she pilfered car keys from gym locker rooms across the southeast and used them to steal cars, a court has heard.
Lauren Felici went on a month-long crime spree in September last year, which also included stealing credit cards and wallets from the cars and using them to buy thousands of dollars’ worth of groceries, electronics, petrol and cigarettes at shops in Bentleigh, Cheltenham, Ashwood and Oakleigh South.
The Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court heard the 23-year-old had also stolen several items from various shops by putting them down the front of her pants.
On one occasion, when asked by a staff member at Officeworks in Keysborough if she intended to pay, Felici said “nah, I’m good” and walked out.
She was charged and bailed to appear in court in April but proceedings were adjourned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The young thief had remained crime-free for about nine months until her sticky fingers got itchy and she nabbed a $3.50 Bubble O’Bill from a Coles Express in St Kilda this month.
She was charged with theft of the item and committing an indictable offence while on bail and placed on remand.
She has spent six days behind bars.
Her defence lawyer told the court her client had tagged along during the September crime spree with her boyfriend “to make him happy”.
The stealing spree came to an abrupt end in early October when the pair parted ways, according to Felici’s lawyer.
“She was involved (with the boyfriend) for a short period of time and he was the primary offender in these matters,” she said.
“Ms Felici no longer associates with him and has started going to church … and everything has been perfect up until the June 11 ice-cream incident.”
The court heard Felici, who pleaded guilty to all charges, had a troubled youth.
She attended 14 different primary schools and five high schools before dropping out in Year 9.
Since last year’s flurry of thefts Felici had engaged with support services and completed a number of vocational training courses aimed at helping her get a job, including a traffic management and barista course.
Magistrate Stephen Lee said “after a spree of completely thoughtless offending the penny seems to have dropped” that Felici needed to get her life on track.
He ordered Felici be released on bail and deferred sentencing her until September 11.
“You have done a lot of things to improve your life and I want to encourage you to maintain that current path,” he said.
“But if you have another month like that one, you will most certainly spend time in jail.”
While on bail Felici must stay away from her ex-boyfriend and continue working with support services.