Ethan Wood pleads guilty to stealing, fraud spree on Sunshine Coast, Caboolture

A sticky fingered thief who used a fake bank statement to try and defraud businesses out of their hard earned cash has had the law catch up to him.

Ethan Wood faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: Sam Turner

A Mooloolaba man’s wave of crime has caught up to him after he tried to defraud businesses and fled with a lucky punter’s pokies winnings.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told an addiction to these gaming machines acted as a catalyst for Ethan Wood’s stealing spree which stretched across the Sunshine Coast and the Moreton Bay area in 2024 and 2025.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said some of the 24-year-old’s crimes involved him stealing items from shops but he would later return to try and defraud the business by asking for a refund through a fake bank statement.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis said one incident at a homeware store at Sunshine Plaza involved Wood using the false statement to receive a refund for $499.99 of bed sheets on March 15.

Wood then stole a towel from the shop after his attempted fraud was foiled.

The court was told Wood stole car parts from Supercheap Auto at Noosaville and tried to get a refund as well. He also pilfered items from Rebel Sport at Maroochydore.

Sergeant Grigoris said there were elements of premeditation and planning involved.

Wood was also found to have received stolen power tools in Caboolture and Caboolture South on October 19 and 21 last year.

He pleaded guilty to all charges. Picture: Sam Turner

In one brazen incident at the Mooloolaba Surf Club on April 7, Wood stole cash from a lucky punter’s gaming machine before he fled. The victim gave chase however had to call police who apprehended him. The money was returned.

The court was also told Wood also damaged a door and a fence at the Pacific Palms Motor Inn in Marcoola and evaded a taxi fare.

The law eventually caught up to the 24-year-old after nine months of crimes, and he was arrested and charged with 16 offences.

He pleaded guilty to all of them which included five counts of stealing, three of entering a premises to commit an indictable offence, two of fraud, attempted fraud and receiving tainted property.

Defence barrister Peter Slipper said Wood, who had no previous criminal convictions, suffered a decline in mental health partnered with an addiction to gaming machines.

Mr Slipper said Wood has since been placed on a mental health plan and hoped to move to Darwin to be close to his relatives to put the matter behind him.

Ms Ellis said Wood was involved in a “significant amount of dishonesty” but opted to give him one more chance, and placed him on two and a half years’ probation.

He was also ordered to perform 120 hours’ community service.

Convictions were recorded, as well as Wood being ordered to pay restitution back to his victims of $579.96.

Originally published as Ethan Wood pleads guilty to stealing, fraud spree on Sunshine Coast, Caboolture