DIARY OF A SERIAL SHOPLIFTER

When Anthony Palozzi goes shopping he carries a list itemising the goods he
intends to steal and the shops he plans to rob.

Day after day the 22 year old, who has a $600 a day heroin habit, goes to
stores in the Newcastle area "shopping" for the goods he's been asked for.

Police believe that Palozzi, from the Newcastle suburb of Cardiff, steals on
request selling the goods to support his heroin habit.

A list of shops and the goods he planned to steal were discovered in
Palozzi's diary on April 29.

Yesterday in Newcastle Local Court he was convicted of stealing and
receiving property likely to have been stolen.

Palozzi, who is unemployed, did not appear in court and magistrate Mick
Morahan issued warrants for his arrest.

He will be sentenced on his arrest.

Last Saturday Nelson Bay police arrested and charged Palozzi after he was
caught stealing from five stores in that area.

He was granted bail to appear in court.

Detectives believe Palozzi will continue to commit further offences until
his arrest.

"He is what we describe as a chronic shoplifter," a police spokesman said
outside court.

"As a result of his raging heroin habit he is out there shoplifting day
after day.

"We believe he had his diary to itemise the goods he was required to steal.

"Then he decided which stores to rob and listed them.

"It appeared receivers were placing orders with him for the products they
required. He would list them and then go out and steal them.

"They would then pay him cash which he used to buy heroin."

On April 29 police recovered Palozzi's diary while searching his car in King
St, Newcastle.

They had received information he had been shop lifting at Harvey Normans
earlier that day.

Police found around $600 in property including electrical equipment, fishing
gear, a sports jacket and other items.

At 8.15pm the following day police stopped Palozzi in a car.

Goods were found in the car and Palozzi admitted they were stolen.

He detailed his shoplifting activities over the past three weeks when he had
targeted a fishing store, a camping store, Reject Shop, Big W and an art
supply business.

Police charged Palozzi with stealing and receiving.

He admitted he had a $600 heroin habit and supported his addiction by
pawning stolen property.

His record showed seven prior convictions for stealing and one for goods in
custody.