By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A COURT dodger’s past caught up with him after he made a false report of an armed robbery to Dandenong police.
Paul Triantofylopoulos, 32, of Carrum Downs, had told officers at Dandenong police station in the early hours of Monday (24 August) that his wallet and phone had just been stolen in an armed hold-up in the town centre.
The accused was soon arrested when police discovered he was wanted on four outstanding warrants, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told later that day.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Richard Symmons said a police search revealed Triantofylopoulos’s wallet – containing a deal bag of ice – was stashed in his underwear.
His ‘stolen’ mobile, also found on his person, duly rang when police dialled its reported phone number. A scan of CCTV footage failed to find a trace of the alleged robbery at the reported place and time.
Triantofylopoulos had been sought by police for failing to attend court in July and August over allegedly breaching a good-behaviour bond and two counts of taking property by deception.
His lawyer John Buxton told the court his client had made up the robbery in the hope of getting a lift to a Mulgrave address.
“He instructs that he thought they’d feel sorry for him and drive him home. It was taken far more seriously by police than he anticipated.”
Mr Buxton said Triantofylopoulos had started heavily using ice since the death of his father.
His daily drug habit led to his sacking from his job at a car dealership in February.
“Really his life started to fall apart,” the lawyer said.
“He is capable of getting himself back on track. He has a desire to do that.”
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said the accused’s actions were serious because he had diverted police resources from legitimate investigation.
“To walk into a police station and say what you said to them doesn’t make any sense.
“The gap between you and reality is very broad at the moment.”
He was placed on a 12-month community corrections order with supervision, mental health treatment, drug testing and rehab.
“You are struggling with the loss of your father.
“This is not the way the memory of your father should be reflected.”
