One man behind 21 shoplifting incidents in Brentwood
A Romford[1] man admitted to stealing more than £2,000 worth of food and alcohol from shops over 21 incidents in Brentwood[2]. Between July 2022 and May 2023, incidents of shoplifting took place at various shops in the area.
The total value of goods stolen was £2073. On the first occasion in July 2022, an £11 case of beer was taken, and the values steadily increased until February 14, 2023, when more than £400 worth of alcohol and meat was stolen from just one shop.
Reviewing the reports and available CCTV, Essex Police[3] identified that just one person was responsible for all incidents. On August 5, Mark Woodhall, 43 of Hilldene Avenue, Romford[4], was arrested and charged with 21 counts of theft from shops.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court on August 7, where he admitted all charges and was jailed for 16 weeks. Brentwood based Sergeant Phoebe Dawson, said: “Business theft is not a victimless crime. We know that shoplifting has repercussions for any business and their staff.
“We will work with colleagues across the force, including the Business Crime Team, to make sure those responsible are held to account. Once PC Shepherd reviewed all the evidence in these 21 cases and identified Mark Woodhall as being responsible, my officers worked hard to secure as many charges against him as possible.
“I’d like to thank PC Shepherd who trawled through the evidence and identified Woodhall and PC Dylan Peters who worked hard to secure the charges against Woodhall.”
An application for a Criminal Behaviour Order has been made.
References
- ^ Romford (www.essexlive.news)
- ^ Brentwood (www.essexlive.news)
- ^ Essex Police (www.essexlive.news)
- ^ Romford (www.essexlive.news)
- ^ Cocaine smuggling gang hid £18,000 of drug money in concrete before police raided their homes (www.essexlive.news)