Former Melbourne zookeeper Lucas McGhie pleads guilty to fraud, theft and burglary charges

An ex-Melbourne Zoo keeper and AFL father/son prospect knocked over multiple businesses during a crime rampage.

Lucas 'Luke' McGhie pleaded guilty to fraud and theft charges. Facebook.

A former Melbourne Zoo keeper and son of a VFL icon has avoided further jail time despite committing a protracted crime spree.

Lucas ‘Luke’ McGhie, 39, was this month sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to time served – 43 days – after pleading guilty to multiple fraud and theft offences.

McGhie’s lengthy spree after he used dodgy bank cards to book accommodation at city apartment Eporo Velvet in August 2020.

The court heard McGhie ran up an $1800 bill staying at the La Trobe St apartment for eight nights but bailed without paying a cent.

McGhie, who pleaded guilty to burglary and handling stolen goods, used cards belonging to other people, the court was told.

Police linked McGhie to the crimes via CCTV.

Investigators recognised McGhie’s tattoos before pouncing on the former zookeeper and arresting him at Essendon in January 2021.

McGhie then went on a criminal spree predominantly through Melbourne’s west and northwest between August 2021 and November last year.

McGhie in his zookeeping days.

McGhie rampaged through various suburbs including Derrimut, South Kingsville, Kensington, Yarraville, Braybrook, Sunshine and Laverton North knocking over various businesses.

McGhie, who was caught with meth during his rampant offending period, was pinched handling stolen goods including a saxophone, an acoustic guitar, nine boxes of Hungry Jack’s ‘promotional glasses’ and a cookie jar.

McGhie, who was also done driving unlicensed, nicked a chainsaw, a weed sprayer and various other items valued at $5000 from a Laverton North business.

McGhie, who goes by the nickname ‘Chickie’, also knocked over a Yarraville warehouse for $3500 worth of goods.

The prolific crim also duped a victim out of $850 via a Facebook Marketplace scam.

McGhie made headlines after he used his employee pass to sneak into Melbourne Zoo with three others just after 2.30am on April 14, 2019.

The former keeper — who was stood down at the time and not permitted to be at the zoo — took photos and fed the elephants, orang-utans and giraffes during the two-hour escapade.

Police later found selfies McGhie took with the animals on his phone.

McGhie was sentenced to time served for the escapade and other crimes in November, 2020 – just two months after his Eporo apartment fraud.

Former Tiger and Bulldog strongman Robert McGhie with Lucas in 2002.

McGhie developed drug issues after miraculously surviving stage 4 cancer.

Unfortunately McGhie’s “spiralling” drug use cost him his Melbourne Zoo position as elephant handler/keeper-in-charge.

McGhie, who studied animal management, launched a “relatively successful” crate refurbishment company with his dad.

McGhie is the son of VFL legend Robbie ‘Bones’ McGhie, who played 146 games for Footscray, Richmond and South Melbourne in the 1970s and early 1980s.

The former star Western Jets’ footballer was once under serious consideration to be recruited by Richmond as a father/son selection.

Magistrate Olivia Trumble said McGhie’s crimes “staggers me”.

“It needs to completely end,” she said.

“You are going into custody (if you are caught again) … there is no other way around that now.”

McGhie was also convicted and placed on a two-year community correction order.

[e-mail]