Vic: Man likely to admit stealing bushfire appeal tin

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2009
Vic: Man likely to admit stealing bushfire appeal tin

Eds: Changes keyword from Bushfires Vic Theft



By Daniel Fogarty

MELBOURNE, Feb 17 AAP - A man charged with stealing a collection tin containing $1,000
for bushfire victims is likely to plead guilty.

It's alleged Troy Barry Hopkins, 36, stole the Red Cross tin from the Prince of Wales
Hotel in St Kilda on Saturday night.

Police claim Hopkins committed the same crime at the Village Bell Hotel, also in St
Kilda, the previous night.

Hopkins did not apply for bail when he appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates
Court on Tuesday on charges of theft and possessing a controlled weapon.

Asked by Chief Magistrate Ian Gray whether the matter was likely to proceed as a guilty
plea in consolidation with other matters, Hopkins' lawyer Tim Fitzpatrick replied "yes".

Mr Fitzpatrick urged the magistrate not release documents about the case to the media,
saying cases of theft were not normally reported on.

But Mr Gray noted there would likely be "intense interest" in the matter given the
bushfire crisis.

He ordered that Hopkins' address, including his suburb, not be published because it
could endanger his safety.

In a statement to the media, police said they arrested Hopkins on Monday night over
the Prince of Wales Hotel theft.

He was arrested while on bail for an earlier theft at the Village Bell Hotel when a
collection bucket for bushfire victims was taken.

In both cases, Hopkins was arrested when he returned to the hotels he'd allegedly stolen
from and was recognised by staff, who alerted police.

He was remanded in custody to appear in court on March 25.

AAP df/gfr/tnf/apm

KEYWORD: HOPKINS (CHANGES KEYWORD)

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