James Siaosi fronts court over armed robberies of businesses
A drug addict carried out a series of armed robberies of businesses in Melbourne’s west, including a brothel, and gifted the loot from the sex parlour to his wife for Mother’s Day.
Wyndham Leader
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An ice addict who terrorised businesses across Melbourne during an armed hold-up crime spree robbed a brothel and gave the cash to his wife for Mother’s Day.
James Siaosi robbed two businesses and attempted to rob another two within nine days in April this year in Melbourne’s west using his car minus its registration plates.
The 31-year-old horticulture worker from Point Cook fronted the County Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to two charges of armed robbery, two of attempted armed robbery, three of using an imitation firearm and one of possession of cannabis.
Siaosi’s first target was the Werribee South General Store on April 15.
Prosecutor Christine Jeong said Siaosi entered the store with a metal pole and wore a balaclava.
The store owner hid under the counter after Siaosi threatened him with the pole and demanded cash.
Her husband came from a room near the counter and grabbed Siaosi who ran out and drove away.
Eight days later, Siaosi drove to the MacDonald’s at Hoppers Crossing about 3.30am and pointed a hand gun at a cashier and demanded money.
He left after the cashier locked the window and informed her manager.
About 30 minutes later, he drove to the Coles Express service station at Point Cook, pulled a gun out of his pocket and pointed to a female attendant.
Siaosi repeatedly said “give me the money” and fled with the cash drawer that contained $194.
The attendant told police that she thought she was going to die and never see her baby again.
The next day, Siaosi went to Club 741 in Brooklyn and pointed a gun at an employee, giving $2375 he stole from the brothel to his partner for Mother’s Day, the court heard.
He told police he was a drug addict and since he his relapse, disapproval from his family and friends caused him to become suicidal and commit the offences.
After robbing the Werribee South General Store, Siaosi said he felt he needed to do something more serious because he didn’t hurt anyone in that robbery.
“He thought he should get a gun because that would probably attract police attention faster and he wanted to get it over and done with,” Ms Jeong said.
Defence lawyer Lachlan Hocking said after losing his job as a barber during Covid, Siaosi cut people’s hair from home and one of his clients was a drug user. He tried methamphetamine and “it all went from there”, Mr Hocking said.
In the lead up to the offending, Mr Hocking said Siaosi has not had a proper sleep since the end of March and wasn’t living at home permanently to hide his personal difficulties, including suicide ideations.
Siaosi contemplated suicide before committing the first robbery and hoped to get arrested and go to jail, he submitted.
Prosecutor Christine Jeong said although the offending was unsophisticated, it was serious and that Siaosi picked easy and vulnerable targets.
Siaosi will be sentenced on December 17.
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