Woman and two teenage girls accused of near $1k theft attempt at Geraldton Spotlight and assaulting staff

Two 14-year-old girls, in the company of an older woman, face serious charges after allegedly attempting to steal just under $1000 worth of goods from Spotlight in Geraldton and throwing a box at an employee. Geraldton Police allege on Tuesday, June 6, two girls and an older woman entered Spotlight at the Geraldton Homemakers Centre just after 5pm. Acting officer in charge Sen. Sgt Andrew Ramsden said the females allegedly filled a trolley with a number of items to the value of $950 and approached the register. “One of the females attempted to pay for some candles claiming the contents of the trolley were purchased at a nearby store,” he said. It’s further alleged a fraudulent receipt was shown to staff during the claims. The women were told to leave the store, and as they exited, it is alleged a further $250 worth of items were placed in a basket. As the group were challenged, Sen. Sgt Ramsden said the staff were allegedly pushed as they struggled to retrieve the items, with one of the accused throwing a box at the face of an employee before fleeing the scene. The three accused were arrested by police. A 31-year-old woman from Spalding was charged with fraud and was bailed when she appeared in court, but was soon rearrested after her release following new information of further alleged stealing. Her bail was refused and she was due to reappear in court on Thursday on two stealing charges. Two 14-year-old girls, one from Rangeway and the other from Beachlands, were charged with aggravated assault with intent to rob. They will appear in Geraldton Children’s Court on July 4.