Adrian Rondan’s Surprising Apology After Being Caught Stealing Groceries Using Caramello Koalas and Blu Tack at Wollongong Central Coles
A man dubbed ‘the barcode criminal’ has come clean after his cunning shoplifting scheme involving Caramello Koalas and Blu-Tack went wrong.
Adrian Rondan, 54, appeared in Wollongong District Court last week where he pleaded guilty to five charges of dishonestly obtaining property by deception after he was caught on CCTV stealing hundreds of dollars worth of groceries from his local supermarket, Coles.
The court heard he used Blu Tack to stick barcodes cut from Caramello Koala chocolate bars and chewing gum onto his finger and then scanned them at the self-checkout, instead of other, more expensive products he left the supermarket with.
Rondan made off with ice cream, mussels, steaks, toothpaste, plasters and insect repellent during five visits to Coles in Wollongong Central in April, but his receipt only listed the gum and chocolates.
On a shopping trip, he “bought” bread, boxes of Golden Gaytime, chicken thighs, steak, coconut water, and a $60 hair clipper, which came to a bill of $143.10. He paid $11.20.
Rondan was sentenced to nine months in prison, to be served under house arrest.
When confronted with A current case Rondan admitted this week that he was wrong, but explained that he was unemployed and short of cash.
He added that his mother’s mounting medical bills forced him to take desperate measures.
Adrian Rondan (pictured) has come up with a surprise apology after his cunning shoplifting attempt with Caramello Koalas and Blu Tack went wrong
He used Blu-Tack to stick barcodes cut out of Caramello Koalas (pictured) and chewing gum onto his finger, then scanned them in place of more expensive items.
“We were very short of money… I know I did wrong,” he said.
“I didn’t want to steal. I didn’t want to just grab things and put them in my pocket.”
He was surprised to see the TV crew following him as he walked along the beach with his dog.
“Who betrayed me?” he asked the journalist.
He declined her offer to eat Caramello Koalas, admitting that he was sorry.
“Of course I am. I said so in court,” he said.
Rondan’s lawyer told the court last week that his client received disability benefits and also cared for his elderly mother full-time. Illawarra Mercury reported.
Judge Mark Douglass decided not to send the man to prison, but warned Rondan that he would be sent to prison if he stole again.
Adrian Ronan was caught on camera stealing hundreds of dollars worth of groceries from the self-service checkout of his local Coles in Wollongong Central
“I’m not sure you’d do well in prison, sir,” said Magistrate Douglass.
“Prison is a very violent, aggressive, competitive place… You go in there as someone who is older and probably not as physically capable as many.”
About seven percent of Australians have admitted to stealing items from supermarkets or scanning items inappropriately, almost double last year’s figures.
“It’s one thing to do everything you can to save money, but having a criminal record might not be the best way to do that,” Taylor Blackburn, financial expert at Finder, told A Current Affair.
