A 54-year-old Sydney man accused of trying to break into a charity donation bin at Sydney Airport is expected to face Downing Centre Local Court today.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the man came to their attention on 15 August after reports of an attempted break-in at a bin in the arrivals concourse.
It is alleged he tried to cut through a padlock with bolt cutters, believing the bin contained between $1000 and $7000. When unsuccessful, he allegedly posed as a charity worker and asked an airline employee for a larger pair of cutters.
AFP officers later located the man and searched his suitcase, allegedly finding a set of tools, including bolt cutters.
AFP Acting Sergeant Tim Skrypnikov said the agency was determined to crack down on airport crime.
“Any criminal activity in the aviation environment, however big or small, will not be tolerated, including theft,” he said.
“If you commit criminal activity in airports, we have the resources to find, apprehend, and put you before the courts.”
He has been charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence under section 114 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
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