'Prolific shoplifter' arrested following high-value thefts
A 'prolific shoplifter' has been arrested in Stockport in relation to high-value thefts worth up to £2,000.
Officers from the Stockport town centre police team arrested a male on Sunday 17 March after he entered Superdrug and stole a number of expensive beauty products.
After filling his coat with items, and ignoring efforts from staff to make him stop, he left the store - CCTV operators found he had run to a nearby tower block, and then entered a flat within the building.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police described when officers arrived at that flat: "Police arrived and entered the flat, to find the offender in question hiding behind a clothes airer.
"He was arrested on suspicion of theft. The stolen goods were recovered.
"The male refused to be interviewed in relation to this matter."
He was later linked to two other high-value thefts, bringing the total value of stolen goods close to £2,000.
In all, he was charged with three counts of theft "based on overwhelming evidence in the form of CCTV and witness statements".
An application has also been made for a criminal behaviour order against the offender; if granted, it will ban the man from Merseyway shopping centre.
PC Leadbetter-Smith from Stockport town centre's police team said: "This was a really satisfying result and a great example of teamwork. Staff [at Superdrug] were quick to report the incident and Stockport Homes Group CCTV operators were equally quick to track the offender.
"We did our part and responded as quickly as we could, which in turn led to a great result; a prolific offender was arrested and we were able to return over £500 of stock to the store.
"Hopefully this send a strong message to criminals - you can run but you can't hide!"
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