A THIEF who broke into a South Yarra pharmacy using a manhole from a neighbouring hotel has been placed on a 12-month community corrections order with drug and mental health treatment conditions.
Dandenong Magistrates' Court heard that 43-year-old George Koutsoupas was staying at the Hotel Claremount next door to Oggs Pharmacy on Toorak Road, when he clambered through the manhole to get into the then closed store.
The Court was told Koutsoupas stole medications and perfumes valued at more than $87,000, during his after-hours raid in May or Jun 2020.
The thief was busted after a sample of DNA was discovered on a drink bottle he discarded while he was in the pharmacy, the Greater Dandenong Leader reported.
Koutsoupas has been arrested by police multiple times since Aug 2020, initially being found in a parked car with quantities of testosterone, ice, heroin, GHB, gloves, a torch and a screwdriver.
Police found more ice during a raid on a house where Koutsoupas was living in Oct last year, and he was arrested in Mar this year as he left an unoccupied apartment in South Yarra, carrying a number of stolen items including a purse, a passport and two handbags.
Koutsoupas pleaded guilty to trespassing and stealing the drink bottle from the store, but was not charged with burglary.
Issuing a sentence of 138 days imprisonment - with 124 already served up to Thu - and placing Koutsoupas on a 12-month community corrections order, Magistrate Suzette Dootjes noted drug use had been an issue for him for a number of years.
She urged Koutsoupas to take advantage of the support the corrections service and family would provide him when he is released later this month.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 01 Jun 21
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 01 Jun 21
