Samara Riley fronts court for the brazen theft of a toolbox from Mildura store

A Mildura crook told police a shoplifting incident “sounded familiar” before being confronted with images that confirmed her guilt.

Samara Riley told police her offending “sounded familiar” when she was arrested for shoplifting

A Mildura woman told police her offending sounded familiar before being confronted with images of her crime.

Samara Riley, who blatantly stole in front of Cheap as Chips store employees fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

She pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft of a Taipan branded toolset valued at $299 from the retail store, among other offences.

The court heard that Riley walked into the shop with four associates on December 21 last year, placed the toolset in the bottom of her pram, and walked out without making any attempt to pay for it.

This theft followed closely on the heels of another incident where Riley and a co-accused walked into BWS and exited with several bottles of liquor.

The police prosecutor said Riley and her co-accused walked into the store at Mildura Central with large shoulder bags, which Riley placed two bottles of whiskey into before leaving the store without paying.

Riley was arrested shortly after the BWS theft and made full admissions to police.

This was in stark contrast to her reaction when arrested a couple of months later for the Cheap as Chips theft, during which she told police the incident “sounded familiar.”

It was only when police showed Riley images from the incident that she conceded it was her.

Ms Riley had already spent three days in custody and had made good progress on the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP).

Mr Coghlan gave Riley an undertaking without conviction running until September 17.