A couple who stole $1600 worth of items in four trolleys from Kmart were both given custodial sentences when they fronted Orange Local Court on Monday.
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Christopher John Foley, 35, and Rebecca Lee Murray, 35, both of Kurim Avenue said they were experiencing financial difficulties when they stole the items during two shopping trips in October.
According to information supplied to the court the couple entered the department store at 10.06am on October 4 and filled two trolleys with an estimated $500 worth of items then left without paying.
The couple returned to Kmart at 11.19am the next day and again refilled the trolleys, this time with $1112 worth of items.
However, when they left the department store without paying again, staff recognised them and the couple left the trolleys with the employees and started walking towards the exit to the underground car park.
Police walked past them and the shop staff yelled out to point them out. The couple then ran down the ramp into the underground car park.
Murray stopped but Foley led police on a 500 metre foot pursuit and attempted to hide in a Chinese restaurant but police found him and arrested him. Police arrested Murray when they went to the couple's home at 1pm.
There's a cost to the community because retail is not a charity.
- Magistrate David Day
Solicitor Andrew Rolfe said the couple was struggling financially and owed $6000 for electricity but Foley now has a full time job.
Magistrate David Day said shoplifting offences cost the entire community because shops employ loss prevention officers, install security cameras and other security devices to prevent theft.
To cover those expenses as well as the loss of stock he said the shops then add it to the price of goods.
"There's a cost to the community because retail is not a charity," Mr Day said.
Mr Day gave Murray two concurrent 10-month intensive correction orders that can be served in the community.
Because she cannot work due to a medical issue he also subjected her to electronic monitoring and ordered her to attend rehabilitation and not enter Kmart.
Mr Day said Foley had a much worse criminal record, including for shoplifting, so he gave him a total two-year and six-month ICO that will also be served in the community.
Foley will also have to complete 200 hours of community service and he is also banned from visiting Kmart.
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