Robert Charles Darmanin in court for stealing from Bunnings Maroochydore

In a desperate effort to keep his business afloat a painter stole $1000 worth of goods from Bunnings Maroochydore and hid them in his car. Find out his punishment.

A Samsonvale painter who stole $1000 worth of Bunnings goods and hid them in his car claims he was just trying to keep his business running.

Robert Charles Darmanin, 36, was given three months’ prison with an immediate parole release date after pleading guilty to stealing after a previous conviction.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Darmanin was spotted by a loss prevention officer loading items into his car and tucking them behind a seat on November 29, 2021.

Police were called and they stopped Darmanin as he was driving out.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said officers searched his work vehicle and found eight tarps, eight mixers and a paintbrush.

Darmanin said he had paid for the tarps on a previous date and that he had the receipt held electronically on the Bunnings app that allows customers to pay for products using the app.

Robert Charles Darmanin, 36, was given three months’ prison with an immediate parole release date after pleading guilty to stealing after a previous conviction.

“The defendant has quickly then paid for the tarps using the app and presented police with the receipt,” Sergeant Burrell said.

Police identified the time on the receipt that revealed he had just paid for them.

During the search they also found stepladders, paint rollers, buckets and sanding equipment.

The loss prevention officer asked if police could pull the seat forward which then exposed dozens of brand new boxes of screws, washers and batteries.

Darmanin claimed he didn’t know where they came from.

Six dust sheets were also found and it was revealed he had scanned cheaper dust sheets using the Bunnings app but had actually taken the larger and more expensive sheets.

All the stolen items were returned to Bunnings.

Darmanin’s defence solicitor said his client ran a painting business that he started at the age of 18 and employed four staff including his 18-year-old son.

“In the Covid pandemic his business was suffering and continued to suffer up until the point of this offending and essentially he is trying to keep his business running,” the solicitor told the court.

“It was unsophisticated offending and the property was returned to Bunnings.”

The court heard the matter had originally been set for a hearing but witnesses were stood down a day before he pleaded guilty.

Originally published as Robert Charles Darmanin in court for stealing from Bunnings Maroochydore