Narre Warren taxi driver stole cash from sleeping female passenger
A “TREACHEROUS” thieving taxi driver stole from a women’s handbag while she slept in the back of his cab on a journey from Melbourne to Geelong, a court has heard.
South East
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A “TREACHEROUS” thieving taxi driver stole from a women’s handbag while she slept in the back of his cab, a court has heard.
The Narre Warren cabbie was taking the young passenger from Melbourne city to Geelong when he reached into her bag and took her cash.
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The 12-year veteran driver has since been suspended from his job.
Karaminder Singh pleaded guilty to theft at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court today (Sept 18).
The court heard he picked the woman up in the CBD at around 10.30pm on April 7 this year.
She placed her handbag next to her before falling asleep; while she snoozed he put his hand into the bag and stole a sum of cash.
She woke up and realised the money was gone, but was too afraid to confront him and instead paid the fare by credit card.
She contacted police who reviewed the taxi’s CCTV footage and saw Singh steal the money.
He told police the money must have fallen onto the floor, and he kept it because he was waiting to get a call from the cab company so someone could reclaim it.
His defence lawyer told the court the family man felt remorseful for his “poor choice” of actions and had been shaken by the incident.
Magistrate Luisa Bazzani said people, especially young women, were entitled to feel safe in a taxi.
She said the theft was a “breach of trust” that meant Singh should not be driving cabs.
“It is a treacherous act, a heinous act to steal from your customers,” she said.
Singh was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond, must give $750 to the court fund and pay $580 to the female victim. No conviction was recorded.
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