A MAN who snatched a $139,000 gold necklace from a staff member at a Greenhills jewellery store on Thursday has pleaded guilty and been refused bail in Maitland Local Court.
Gary John Wright, 35, of Raymond Terrace, was arrested after he asked to see the solid gold necklace - the most expensive item at Simon Curwood Jewellers at Greenhills - before snatching the necklace and running through the shopping centre about 2.30pm. He was chased down almost immediately by police, who recovered the necklace and a knife. The staff member was shaken but not injured and was hailed a "hero" by her employer for remaining calm and immediately contacting police and security.
Wright appeared in Maitland Local Court in handcuffs on Friday where he pleaded guilty to shoplifting more than $15,000 and possession of a knife
Wright, who was jailed last year for a carjacking and had just finished serving a period on parole, was refused bail and will be sentenced next month.
