'Marlboro bandit' admits charges

The 'Marlboro Bandit' was today remanded into custody after he admitted a slew of charges relating to stealing cigarettes. 

Kevin Robinson, 53, stole cigarettes from Clarendon Pharmacy, Woodburn Chemist Harrington Hundreds and Onion Jack’s, and also tried to steal cigarettes from Paget pharmacy.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court between August 22 and September 5, Robinson went to each of the stores and asked for two cartons of cigarettes.

The cashier would put the cartons on the counter then Robinson would fumble around with his wallet. The court heard he would try to swipe his bank card numerous times. When the swipe would go through, the screen would say ‘insufficient funds’. Robinson would then grab the cartons and run out of the store.

He did this at Clarendon Pharmacy, Woodburn Chemist Harrington Hundreds and Onion Jack’s but at Paget Pharmacy, when Robinson asked for a carton of Marlboro cigarettes, the cashier, who knew about the other incidents, put the cigarettes on her lap instead of the counter.
 
She asked Robinson to remove his helmet so that she could assist him. When he took it off, she recognised him as the man who took the cigarettes at Clarendon Pharmacy days before. Robinson left the store empty handed and the police were notified.

Ms Clarke told the court he was caught after a customer at Harrington Hundreds managed to get the license plate number of the bike Robinson fled on.
 
The court heard he has previous convictions for dishonesty offences. The court also heard Robinson is a heroin addict and wants to go to rehab and counseling for his addiction.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered pre-sentencing reports and adjourned the matter to October 10. Robinson was remanded into custody.