Ban for serial supermarket thief

BAG SEARCH: Kim Lea Scully avoided jail time again. Source: The Courier-Mail

SERIAL bag snatcher Kim Lea Scully, 43, has been banned from two shopping centres after her arrest yesterday on outstanding theft charges dating back 12 months.

Scully fronted Brisbane's Roma Street Magistrates Court yesterday over the fresh stealing charges.

It was alleged Scully stole two handbags from elderly women in March last year, one from the trolley of an 88-year-old woman doing her grocery shopping.

Magistrate Anne Thacker granted bail on the condition Scully stay away from both the Stafford and Chermside shopping centres on Brisbane's northside. Scully told the court she had turned over a new leaf and wanted to spend more time with her two-year-old son.

"Your Honour, I have no intention of going outside the house," Scully said.

Ms Thacker replied: "This is your last chance. Don't go shopping and stealing."

Scully was jailed in 2011 for similar robberies, most targeting elderly women.

She gained notoriety for robbing another victim, 79, only three hours after a judge allowed her to walk from a courtroom because she "deserved another chance".

The mother-of-three allegedly asked the pensioner for help then stole her wallet.

In that case, Scully had just left the District Court in Brisbane, where she had faced four counts of stealing and a charge of unlawful use of a motor vehicle from a 2008 incident.

She pleaded guilty to all five charges, including the theft of items worth $925 and received two years' probation.

Judge Michael Noud said at the time there "was still hope" for her despite her long history.

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Petite car thief snuck in doggie door

A petitie thief used a doggie door to enter a house and steal the keys for a luxury Audi. Picture: John Fotiadis Source: The Daily Telegraph

A PETITE thief managed to sneak in through a doggie door to steal a luxury Audi car.

The crime at Kirwan, Townsville, was one of six vheicle thefts overnight in Townsville, which is in the midst of a property crime spree, Townsville Bulletin reported.

The doggie door thief stole a 2008 model silver lAudi after stealing other personal property from inside the home. The car was found yesterday less than 5km away.

The came as Townsville Police renew their plea for residents to lock their vehicles and houses and insurers urge motorists to hide car keys.

Research by RACQ Insurance released yesterday confirmed most cars stolen in Townsville were linked to "sneak offences", in which thieves enter a home through an unlocked door, garage or window. Of the 32 cars reported stolen by RACQ Insurance clients in the city this year, 75 per cent were taken after keys were stolen from inside the home.

RACQ executive manager insurance communications Mike Sopinski said the research showed 42 per cent of Queensland motorists admitted to not securing their keys inside their homes.

"Our home security research conducted in 2012 showed that more than one-quarter of householders said they have been the victim of a home intrusion where a thief has entered their property while they were at home," Mr Sopinski said.

"Car keys should always be secured while at home and should be treated with the same level of security you would adopt with cash."

More on this story at www.townsvillebulletin.com.au

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Police seek jewel thief

Images have been released of a man police wish to speak to regarding the robbery at a Capalaba shopping centre on March 13. Source: The Courier-Mail

A JEWELLERY store robber has been captured on CCTV after a break and enter in Brisbane's south-east.

Images have been released of a man police wish to speak to regarding the robbery at a Capalaba shopping centre on March 13.

It is alleged about 4am a man forced entry into the Redland Bay Road store via a roller door.

Jewellery was stolen and display cabinets were damaged in the robbery.

Police have appealed for public assistance in identifying the man pictured.

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