Serial Bunnings bandit Christopher Pike caught after trying to sell stolen goods on Facebook Marketplace with real name

A Bunnings bandit who went on a stealing spree across the hardware stores was caught out after making a very stupid mistake.

Bunnings bandit Christopher Pike was sentenced in the Dandenong Magistrates Court on Friday.

A serial Bunnings bandit who was nabbed by police after going on a stealing spree targeting the chain came undone by trying to sell the stolen goods using his real name on Facebook.

Christopher Pike has been banned by a magistrate from entering “any Bunnings store in Victoria” after becoming such an infamous hardware supplies thief in Melbourne that a security alert was put out through Bunnings stores for staff to recognise him.

He was also sentenced in the Dandenong Magistrates Court on Friday to a 12-month community corrections order, 120 hours of unpaid work, a 12-month licence disqualification, and ordered to hand over $2200.

The 33-year-old became notorious in Bunnings stores in Melbourne.

From October 2019 to January 2020, the 33-year-old hit up Bunnings stores in Springvale, Scoresby, Preston and Fountain Gate, making off with a chainsaw, two heaters, and a stash of expensive Makita batteries.

He tried to sell some of the stolen items on Facebook Marketplace under his real name and profile.

Pike was also caught stealing a hired car, after renting a Mazda van from service Rent A Bomb and cutting off all contact, before leaving the car unattended with the key in the ignition at the rental office almost two months later.

He was sentenced on more than 20 charges including multiple counts of stealing from Bunnings, car theft and driving offences.