Other Stuff
Now this makes me laugh...
'No evidence' police infiltrated
From: AAP
July 06, 2006
THERE was no evidence alleged conwoman Jodie Harris infiltrated one of
Victoria's elite detective squads or was issued with a police weapon, the
state's top cop said today.
Ms Harris, 28, of Brisbane, is wanted by police in three states over fraud
offences and is being questioned by NSW detectives.
No charges have yet been laid.
Fairfax newspapers today suggested Ms Harris posed as a Queensland detective,
using a stolen police badge, was welcomed into the Victoria Police crime
department about four years ago, had accompanied Victorian detectives on drug
raids and had since been privy to sensitive police information.
No proper checks were conducted on Ms Harris' credentials, the report said.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said there was no evidence
these incidents had occurred but investigations would continue.
Advertisement:
"We understand those allegations. We don't have any evidence that in any way she
was supplied with a firearm or that she became an undercover agent for Victoria
Police, or any of those sorts of things," Ms Nixon said today.
"Obviously when she is able to return or we are able to investigate the matters
against her, we will, but we don't have any evidence of those allegations."
Ethical standards department detectives are also investigating a motorcycle
policeman, Senior Constable Andrew Twining, about the status of his relationship
with Harris.
The newspaper report said the pair was engaged and expecting a child.
Snr Cst Twining, who is on indefinite sick leave, had contacted Victorian
police, Ms Nixon said. She would not confirm if he was a criminal suspect.
"Senior Constable Twining is assisting Victoria Police with inquiries. At this
stage he is off sick but he is still assisting us."
Ms Harris, dubbed the "Catch Me If You Can" thief, is wanted in Victoria, NSW
and Queensland but has eluded detectives, sometimes by just hours, in raids over
recent months.
She has been accused of fooling victims into believing she is a doctor, a
businesswoman, and the niece of slain underworld figure Mario Condello.
She also is accused of having infiltrated an airline.
Police say they seized a Virgin Blue flight attendant's uniform and name tag
during a raid on a unit she recently used.
Police allege Ms Harris befriended unsuspecting women, stole items such as their
driver's licences and fooled bank staff into giving her access to their
accounts.
A NSW police spokeswoman confirmed Ms Harris had been arrested in Harris Street,
Ultimo, an inner-Sydney suburb, about 4.30am (AEST) today, and was being
questioned.