A prolific shoplifter who has stolen thousands of dollars worth of goods from a range of businesses is an opioid addict who has been "running amok", a court has heard.
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Gayle Francis Atkinson's most recent offending occurred in Wangaratta on September 11.
But when she was arrested on the Lincoln Causeway in Wodonga two days later, police discovered she had 12 warrants out for her arrest.
When arrested, she was wearing a hoodie stolen from Australia Post during the spree, which had involved putting items into her six-week-old baby's pram.
Atkinson travelled to Wangaratta in the morning and first targeted Harvey Norman about 9am, leaving with $546 worth of goods including speakers.
She moved to Australia Post and took the hoodie, before taking socks from a sports store.
The 31-year-old took Nike shorts worth $25 from SportsPower, and Nike T-shirts worth $70 and two jumpers worth $165 from Flynn's.
Atkinson last week admitted to shoplifting from Bing Lee in Wodonga on September 28 last year, where she stole a portable speaker worth $129.
She stole $1300 worth of Kathmandu jackets from a Melbourne shopping centre in May last year and punched a security guard in the head.
Other incidents involved alcohol thefts, criminal damage and assault spanning several years.
"It certainly warrants a jail sentence," magistrate John Murphy said.
"You've been running amok in my opinion.
"You'll be released before Christmas, that's as fair as I can be.
"But you can't go out and create havoc like you have been."
She must serve three months in custody before being released.
