Prolific shoplifter flees right into arms of police after taking haul
Prolific shoplifter flees right into arms of police after taking haul
Nottinghamshire Police
A prolific shoplifter has been filmed fleeing into the arms of police officers after snatching goods from a popular grocery store.
Kirk Wharton, 33, of no fixed address, was detained by Operation Reacher officers after attempting to take off from a Co-Op store on Mansfield Road in Sherwood, Nottingham, on August 15.
Wharton was seen putting tubs of butter in his coat pockets and tried to exit the store after becoming aware officers were at the scene.
He was placed in handcuffs after being apprehended by two officers waiting outside.
Wharton was subsequently charged with 25 shop thefts at a cost of approximately £2,250
Nottinghamshire Police
Wharton was subsequently charged with 25 shop thefts after being involved in a spate of shoplifting incidents committed at Co-op stores in Mansfield Road, Sherwood, and Beckhamton Road, Bestwood.
The offences, which are estimated to have cost approximately £2,250, took place between June 18 and August 8.
The 33-year-old was also charged with breaching a community rehabilitation order after he missed a string of drug rehabilitation and probation appointments.
Wharton pleaded guilty to all 26 counts and was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison after appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on August 25.
A screenshot of Wharton placing the goods in his coat
Nottinghamshire Police
PC Phoebe Lau, of the City Centre Operation Reacher team, which carried out the investigation and made the arrest, said: “Wharton is a prolific shoplifter who has persistently shown a complete contempt for the law.
“As we often hear in cases of persistent shoplifting, it appears his offending escalated as a direct consequence of his drug addiction.
“This was why he was placed on a community rehabilitation programme when he was last before the courts. Such schemes are designed to help offenders turn their lives around but, very frustratingly, Wharton refused that support.
“He refused to engage with the drug rehabilitation programme and must now face the consequences.
“He is among a number of persistent shoplifters who have been handed prison sentences in recent months, which is testament of the work we’re doing to tackle retail crime in Nottinghamshire.
“The force is also pursuing criminal behaviour orders, which allow swift and robust action if offenders repeat their behaviour.
“CBOs are used to ban offenders from certain areas and give officers the power of arrest if breached.
“We will continue to make use of such powers and work with stores to catch offenders, as we are fully aware of how damaging shoplifting can be for businesses.”
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