A CHAMPION bodybuilder who snaffled almost half a million dollars while disguised as an armoured car guard was driven by greed, a judge heard. Rocky Bornino and accomplices managed to trick staff in a series of raids on suburban banks, the County Court was told.
Bornino masqueraded as Armaguard and Chubb guards, right down to the sidearm, prosecutor Georgina Coghlan said.
Chief Judge Michael Rozenes heard Bornino and another man arrived at a Westpac Bank in Niddrie dressed in Armaguard uniforms on April 12 last year.
Bornino was escorted to a rear secure room where he collected $440,000 cash, signed a receipt and was escorted out.
Ms Coghlan said that on November 9 last year, a further seven offences were committed in similar manner - the men wearing Chubb uniforms - at Bendigo Bank branches in the southern suburbs.
The bandits managed to fleece only one bank that day, netting more than $31,000, the court was told.
When he was arrested in December Bornino was found with 35 vials of steroids.
Bornino, 47, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to seven counts of aggravated burglary, one of attempted aggravated burglary, two counts of theft, six of attempted theft and a count of possessing steroids.
Defence counsel David Glynn told Chief Judge Rozenes his client was a disciplined competitive bodybuilder who was recruited for the criminal enterprise.
In calling for a sentence of 3 1/2 to five years' jail, Ms Coghlan said Bornino's crimes were "motivated by greed and greed alone".
Bornino will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.
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Bornino masqueraded as Armaguard and Chubb guards, right down to the sidearm, prosecutor Georgina Coghlan said.
Chief Judge Michael Rozenes heard Bornino and another man arrived at a Westpac Bank in Niddrie dressed in Armaguard uniforms on April 12 last year.
Bornino was escorted to a rear secure room where he collected $440,000 cash, signed a receipt and was escorted out.
Ms Coghlan said that on November 9 last year, a further seven offences were committed in similar manner - the men wearing Chubb uniforms - at Bendigo Bank branches in the southern suburbs.
The bandits managed to fleece only one bank that day, netting more than $31,000, the court was told.
When he was arrested in December Bornino was found with 35 vials of steroids.
Bornino, 47, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to seven counts of aggravated burglary, one of attempted aggravated burglary, two counts of theft, six of attempted theft and a count of possessing steroids.
Defence counsel David Glynn told Chief Judge Rozenes his client was a disciplined competitive bodybuilder who was recruited for the criminal enterprise.
In calling for a sentence of 3 1/2 to five years' jail, Ms Coghlan said Bornino's crimes were "motivated by greed and greed alone".
Bornino will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.
Read more: No Cookies | Herald Sun