Robert James Flanagan: Limited involvement in alleged Aldi robbery enough to keep man behind bars

A Geraldton man involved in an alleged robbery at Aldi supermarket, which resulted in a female co-accused punching a staff member in the face, will remain behind bars. On Thursday, Geraldton Magistrates Court called up Robert James Flanagan for a bail application after he was remanded in custody on charges of aggravated robbery, four counts of stealing, and four counts of entering a premises contrary to a barring notice. The 34-year-old has not entered pleas. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray told the court Mr Flanagan was with a female co-accused inside Aldi in Wonthella on May 21 when the woman filled a blue freezer bag with grocery items and tried to run from the store without paying. He said Mr Flanagan stood by the exit as an employee took hold of the freezer bag, preventing the co-accused from leaving. Sgt Gray said the woman told the employee to let go of the bag, making threats Mr Flanagan would “punch his lights out”, before striking the staff member in the face. He released the bag and the accused pair left the store with the goods. Defence lawyer Lauren Roycroft said the 34-year-old had limited involvement in the robbery, and he encouraged the co-accused to “let go of the bag” during the struggle. But Sgt Gray said Mr Flanagan had more than 200 offences on his criminal record, claiming he did not stop at Aldi, but rather went on a “mini crime spree” and stole from BWS several times. He is also accused of stealing two bottles of Stone’s fortified wine from Liquorland in Bluff Point on May 9. Magistrate Angus Hockton said the robbery was an example of what was “all too common” in society. “This is someone at their place of work, doing their job and being assaulted in the course of their work,” he said. The magistrate said Mr Flanagan had very few gaps in his record other than times when he was remanded in custody or serving time as a sentenced prisoner. “Your record does come back to haunt you, Mr Flanagan,” Mr Hockton said. He refused Mr Flanagan bail and the matter was adjourned to September 19.