A COUPLE shoplifted $100,000 worth of goods in a sophisticated four-year thieving operation and sold them on eBay, a court has heard.
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David Whiteoak, 44, and his wife Shiloh, 38, formerly of Raglan Parade, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty to the thefts in Warrnambool Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said it was a relatively sophisticated, long-running operation which involved stealing goods and selling them on the website.
Police said that in July 2010, the Whiteoaks set up an online eBay account which they used in the next four years to buy and sell items — mainly selling goods they had stolen from stores.
Between July 2010 and July 2014, the Whiteoaks sold items through eBay for $31,868 without reserves, most for well below retail value.
Major stores in Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Portland and Hamilton were targeted, including Kmart, Harris Scarfe, Bunnings, Target, Big W and Officeworks.
The stolen goods including electronic devices, DVDs, games, clothing, footwear and dog worm tablets.
Police recovered thousands of items, including 1526 DVDs and 767 Blu-ray movies valued at $38,110, and a large amount of clothing and footwear valued at $20,356.
The couple told police they attended major stores three times a week, stole items and sold them on eBay to pay everyday bills.
Mrs Whiteoak said having new clothes and footwear made her feel better about herself.
In July last year the Whiteoaks went to Warrnambool’s Harris Scarfe store where they selected pillows which they paid for, but boots and a handbag were hidden in the Whiteoaks’ clothing.
A staff member thought their behaviour was suspicious and wrote down the Whiteoaks’ vehicle registration plate number which led to the police raid.
Defence counsel Kiernan Celestina said the Whiteoaks engaged in their illegal activities to provide a better lifestyle for their family, but they were living beyond their means.
Whiteoak admitted dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, breaching a suspended jail sentence and 14 counts of theft.
He had prior convictions for dishonesty and was jailed for 12 months, with six months to serve before being eligible for parole. His wife was placed on a 14-month community corrections order with condition she complete 250 hours of community work and undertake assessment and treatment for mental health issues.
Mrs Whiteoak pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime and 11 counts of theft.
