A MAN has been convicted of stealing more than $3300 of hygiene products from supermarkets in Melton and Wyndham to fund a drug addiction.
Police told Werribee Magistrates Court that Hong Ngoc Nguyen, 29, of Derrimut, was charged after being caught shoplifting from supermarkets during a two-month period last year.
Police said they also found four kilograms of amphetamines, two kilograms of heroin and various other illicit drugs when they scoured his car for stolen goods.
The court was told last Wednesday that Nguyen and a co-offender had first targeted a supermarket at Werribee Plaza, where Nguyen packed his pockets, pants and jacket with personal hygiene products.
The pair drove to another supermarket, on Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing where Nguyen stole more items. He was observed by a security guard before police arrived and arrested him while he was walking back to the car.
Police found almost 100 packs of hygiene products valued at $1859 stolen from the first supermarket, and $853 worth of products stolen from the second.
Two months later, a security guard in Caroline Springs caught Nguyen with 63 hygiene products, valued at $613, concealed in his jacket after robbing a supermarket. He was taken to Caroline Springs police station where he made full admissions.
Nguyen’s defence counsel said the robberies had taken place “in the context of a drug addiction”.
Magistrate John Bentley sentenced him to three months’ jail, suspended for 12 months. “If you commit another offence punishable by a term of imprisonment in the next year, you will find yourself in jail,” he said.
