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.
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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.
