Police seek prolific obese confectionery thief

An obese man with a chronic sugar craving, who police have dubbed “the candy man”, is believed to be stealing confectionery in the Doncaster suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Doncaster detective Senior Constable Leanne Trusler said the man had stolen $9000 worth of sweets from Coles at Westfield Doncaster by smuggling them past staff in a shopping trolley three times.



He targets mainly chewing gum, Mentos, Tic Tacs, Butter-Menthols and Anticols, she said. Police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward to find the candy man. Once inside the store the man fills up empty environmental shopping bags with boxes of assorted confectionery.

He then leaves the store without paying. Constable Trusler said the man had allegedly stolen from Coles Doncaster on November 2 and December 7 and 13, and attempted to steal from the store on December 20. “He must have a good dentist,” she said. “He will load up with a large amount, about $4000 at a time.”



Staff approached the man and asked him to leave the store on December 20. “No stealing is good but it’s unusual for that amount of confectionery to be taken.” The offender is described as Caucasian, 30-40 years old, obese with thinning short dark hair. Police have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their inquires.