A Berkeley man is accused of buying up more than $21,000 worth of goods from area Bunnings stores using stolen business account details.
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Joseph Terrence Ison allegedly made 14 visits to Bunnings stores at Bellambi, North Wollongong, Warrawong, Shellharbour, Narellan and Campbelltown between April 11 and 15.
He allegedly walked away with up to $2000 worth of products at a time, filling his trolley with everything from pricey cordless power tools to a humble insect zapper.
According to documents considered by Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday, Ison snagged multiple power tool kits, a firepit, a barbeque, a garden hose and reel, a clothes hanger, screwdriver set, line trimmer, stroke saw, a blow torch, door lock and numerous other items.
Teh 42-year-old is one of four people charged after Warrawong Bunnings reported a series of fraudulent transactions involving the use of registered Australian Business Numbers in April 2020, sparking an investigation by Lake Illawarra Police District detectives.
Police arrested a 32-year-old man on April 14 and charged him with three counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception. He has since been granted bail to return to court on September 2.
Police then searched a Warrawong home on April 16 and seized power and hand tools, prohibited drugs, electronic devices and homewares.
They charged Ison and two others - a 27-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
The younger man and woman were charged with goods suspected stolen in/on premises, and of participating in a criminal group contribute to criminal activity. They are due to appear at Port Kembla Local Court on July 8.
Ison was initially charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception and participating in a criminal group contribute to criminal activity.
He has since been charged with a total of 14 counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, after police linked him to fraudulent transactions at another five Bunnings stores.
Police inquiries into the matter are continuing.
Ison was to front Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday but was turned away from the courthouse on medical grounds.
The matter was adjourned and will return to court on June 24.