Upminster food thief arrested after dropping solicitor’s letter during struggle with Aldi staff
- Credit: Archant
A bungling food thief left behind a letter from his solicitor during a struggle with supermarket staff.
Shop workers at Aldi in St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, spotted Gary Cook acting suspiciously on Monday, January 14.
Despite their attempts to stop the 22-year-old from leaving, he managed to escape.
But during the struggle he dropped a letter from his solicitor that included his name and address.
Staff used the neighbourhood “town link” radio system, installed last year, to contact police officers from the Upminster Safer Neighbourhoods Team.
You may also want to watch:
The police immediately headed for the address, in Stafford Avenue, Hornchurch, where they arrested Cook on suspicion of theft.
He pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court on January 26 and was sentenced to four weeks in prison for stealing the food, worth £41.35.
Most Read
- 1 Mayoral election 2021: how will candidates improve east London?
- 2 Heritage: How bicycles, manufacturing and gas lights created Roneo Corner
- 3 'I'm appalled at no-show bookings as pubs reopen'
- 4 Council cannot 'justify' stronger bollards after fifth crash in 18 months
- 5 Array of activities to be held at Weald Park Country Show 2021
- 6 Men sent to prison over death of schoolboy Harvey Tyrrell
- 7 Mayoral election 2021: 'Free London' candidate Laurence Fox visits Romford
- 8 Stall holders 'chuffed' as Romford Market reopens
- 9 Neighbour’s fury as mountain of rubbish piles up outside cottage
- 10 Top Havering pubs open with beer gardens
Acting Sergeant Ross Evans said: “The fact the suspect was kind enough to leave behind a letter containing his name and address was extremely helpful.
“This incident has once again shown the effectiveness of the Upminster town link radio system. If any shops who have yet to join this initiative would like further information, they should contact us at our ward base.”
Aldi was among the first shops to sign up to the radio link, which allows them to communicate directly with local police officers and other traders in the area about anyone they see acting suspiciously.
