A prolific shop thief who targeted stores across Worthing in Sussex and who even used a shopping list for goods he wanted to steal has been jailed for the second time in a year.
Offender Dale Searle, 38, entered stores including Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons in the town. During one crime spree, he stole items worth more than £6,800.
Video footage showed Searle entering a Tesco Express store in Dominion Road on two occasions with his own shopping list. He left stores with bags full of shopping and made no attempt to pay.
Searle had in fact already been identified as a prolific shoplifter by Sussex Police and was targeted for arrest as part of Operation Apprentice.
At Lewes Crown Court last month, Searle admitted 19 counts of shop theft and has now been convicted for his latest thefts, as well as for an assault on an emergency worker and a business burglary at a vaping shop. He was jailed for two years.
The incidents took place between March and May, with stores including the Co-ops in Heene Road and Ham Road in Selden, Sainsbury’s at Lyons Farm, Morrisons at Broadwater and Tesco in Dominion Road, the force said.
Speaking after the case, Inspector Chris Bryant said: “Searle is a repeat offender who had previously been jailed for shoplifting offences in February this year.
“We understand the impact shoplifting and retail crime has for staff, shoppers and our communities, and we’re working closely with partners to prevent offences.
“This case shows our determination to catch prolific offenders who we are identifying through Operation Apprentice.”
No comments yet