AN ALBURY man who once falsely claimed to have been the victim of an armed robbery has been arrested on the same street, and found with three knives.
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He had told Albury detectives the offender pointed a hunting knife at him and held it near his chest, before asking for him to hand over his wallet.
The 26-year-old gave a detailed description of what had occurred and made multiple Centrelink applications for emergency funds.
Police increased patrols of the area after the report.
But the ruse quickly unravelled as multiple aspects of the story didn’t stack up.
Collis was again taken into custody on October 6, coincidentally on the same street he had falsely claimed to have been robbed on.
He was found with a Leatherman knife, a tomahawk and a silver pocket knife.
When asked why he had the weapons, he said he needed them for his protection.
Police had been trying to catch up with the 26-year-old following two thefts.
Collis had used a man’s ANZ bank card – which he said he had found on the street – at the BP petrol station in South Albury.
Security cameras captured him entering on September 22 and buying cigarettes and food worth $76.
He returned to the petrol station a few hours later and made similar purchases worth nearly $86.
The offending, which led to him being charged with four counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, breached the sentence handed down for the fake robbery claims.
He was also charged with one count of possessing a knife in a public place.
Collis had placed on a community service order for the offence, which officers noted led to a considerable investigation and wasted resources.
Police believe he had noticed media coverage of a real robbery on Stanley Street, which had motivated him to make up the false claims.
He spoke of the actual robbery with the officers as they tried to get to the bottom of his claims.
Despite all his efforts, the Centrelink applications were all knocked back.
Magistrate Rodney Brender recently told Albury Local Court he would consider imposing further community work.
The court heard he had health issues.
The Hibiscus Crescent resident had initially been convicted in his absence after he failed to attend court.
But the court heard he had been sick on the day, and was unfit to appear.
The matter will return to the court on January 30.
