A mother, a drug addict, and a seasoned criminal have received prison sentences for their involvement in a brazen heist at a Melbourne hotel. Steven Cachia and Barbara Babic were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to three-and-a-half years for their part in a robbery that netted over $321,000 from the Golden Fleece Hotel in October 2023.
CCTV footage from the incident captured Babic, who was serving as the gaming manager at the hotel, during a confrontation with Andrew Cini, a masked intruder in the hotel’s strong room. Under threat of being tasered, Babic surrendered more than $320,000, cash that had been cleared from the hotel’s gaming machines. Following the robbery, Babic was found handcuffed, but the burglar managed to escape with the stolen cash.
Cachia’s role in the crime involved his disguise as a regular bistro patron, who exited the hotel through an exit-only door just prior to Cini entering. However, closer scrutiny of the surveillance video showed that when the burglar arrived, the cash was already conveniently stacked on a bench.
Throughout the ordeal, Babic appeared notably calm. Immediately after the burglar’s escape, she easily slipped out of her handcuffs. Once police conducted a search of Babic’s residence, they uncovered evidence of her spending spree, with nearly $3,500 spent at Melton Furniture and Bedding and $3,000 for dental work. Additional transactions included a $2,363 cash purchase for a large television and bank deposits exceeding $6,000.
Cini, the primary burglar, has already received a sentence of five and a half years after admitting guilt in court. Both Babic and Cachia maintained their innocence during the trial, but the jury ultimately found them guilty.