'Parcel thieves' face court over alleged theft of packages worth tens of ... trends now
A former banking manager accused of stealing neighbours' packages from the entrance of an apartment complex in Sydney's CBD has been granted bail.
Sascha Pearsall, 37, and his girlfriend Nikita Bastion, 36, were arrested on Tuesday after police allegedly found bikes, ammunition, food, clothing, prescription drugs, and collectibles belonging to other residents at the units in Saunders St, Pyrmont.
The couple - who live in adjoining apartment buildings and had only recently started dating - allegedly went on a stealing spree between 10.30pm on December 23 and the early hours of Christmas Eve.
They are accused of plucking parcels addressed to other residents from the foyer of the units - including more than $20,000 worth of Star Wars memorabilia and pre-cooked fitness meals valued at $167.13 - before stashing them in one of their units.
Police investigating the disappearance of two bikes which were reported missing from the unit complex carpark allegedly uncovered the haul.
The pair were slapped with a string of charges including stealing, drug supply, and unlawful possession and were remanded in custody overnight to face separate hearings at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
Sascha Pearsall, 37, and Nikita Bastion, 36, (pictured) have been charged after allegedly stealing packages left for neighbours in the entrance of a Sydney apartment complex
Appearing via videolink, Pearsall, in a black t-shirt and shorts, sat quietly in the dock as his lawyer told Magistrate Paul Lyon he intended to plead not guilty to eight of the nine charges against him - the single guilty plea being a count of stealing food worth less than $2000.
His lawyer made an application for bail arguing his client was willing to report to police, live with his mother, and abide by a curfew.
'His mother has lived at that housing commission for 25 years and he has lived there on and off over that time,' Pearsall's lawyer said.
'You honour, there are drug and alcohol charges listed, but my client says that he does not have a drinking problem.
'He can put down a 24-hour curfew as he is unemployed at the moment.'
The prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court the matter had been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the defendant could face a maximum of 15 years in jail if found guilty of drug supply.
Pictured: Packages allegedly found in the possession of Pearsall and Bastion at a Pyrmont apartment complex
Police will allege the pair were stealing packages and parcels intended for other residents from the complex's entrance
While magistrate Lyon agreed the charges were serious, he noted the DDP case would likely take months to compile and granted Pearsall bail.
Under the bail conditions, Pearsall must stay at his mother's home and not leave between 8pm and 8am unless if he is in her company, and must report to Newtown Police Station
