David James Devries in Maroochydore court for Nambour Cash Converters fraud

A licenced electrician stole from Bunnings before selling more than $4000 in stolen gold jewellery to a Sunshine Coast cash converters. Read his punishment.

A Kiamba electrician who was caught stealing items from Bunnings before cashing in $4000 worth of stolen jewellery at a Sunshine Coast Cash Converters store has faced court.

David James Devries, 41, was given two years’ probation and disqualified from driving for 12 months in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 4, 2022.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said a Brisbane woman had reported to police that between December 11 and 12 2021, a number of her jewellery items had been stolen from her house.

Officers made inquiries with Cash Converters and discovered the items had been sold at the Nambour store on December 13.

Devries had swapped two rings and two gold necklaces for $4310 cash.

“When spoken to by police, he said that his girlfriend asked him to pawn the items and he would get $100 for his troubles,” Sergeant Nitschke said.

Devries offended again on February 4, 2022, where he stole a torch and pliers from Bunnings in Cannon Hill.

The loss prevention officer saw Devries stealing the items that totalled $89.98.

He was also found driving on two separate occasions in March, 2022 with drugs in his system and had marijuana seeds with him on one of the occasions.

Defence solicitor Patrick Meehan said his client “wasn’t aware” the jewellery goods were stolen.

Mr Meehan said Devries had been a licensed electrician for 20 years and had been struggling in recent years with illicit drug use.

Devries’ family were trying to get him into rehabilitation, the court heard.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing, two counts of fraud, two counts of drug driving and possessing dangerous drugs.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist ordered Devries pay restitution to Cash Converters and Bunnings.

Originally published as David James Devries in Maroochydore court for Nambour Cash Converters fraud