Police issue images of Co-op shoplifting spree suspect

Police in Plymouth have issued CCTV images of a suspect they wish to identify in relation to a spate of shoplifting in the city.

Police are investigating six separate thefts form Co-op stores throughout Plymouth involving the same suspect.

In the latest incident which occurred at around 6.10pm on Saturday 23rd February, the suspect entered the Co-op store in Moorshead Road, Crownhill, and selected a number of steaks and joints of meat and placed them into a rucksack before leaving the store.

The suspect stole from the same store at around 4.30pm on Saturday 9th February when a number of joints of meat were stolen and placed into a rucksack. On this occasion a member of staff and a customer chased after him but he made good his escape by getting onto a bus.

In two separate incidents on Thursday 21st February the offender stole from the Co-op store located in Peverell Park Road in the city. He entered the store at around 2.20pm and selected two legs of lamb placing them in his rucksack before leaving the store. Later the same day at around 8.00pm he again entered the store and stole a leg of lamb and some other foodstuffs.

Other thefts from Co-op stores in the city involving the same suspect include four legs of lamb which were stolen from the Co-op store in Devonport Road, in Stoke at around 3.20pm on Monday 18th February, and a number of rump steaks which were stolen from the Co-op store located in Embankment Road, Plymouth at around 12.40pm on Sunday 17th February.

The total value of goods stolen is between £300 and £400.

The suspect is described as being a white man aged in his late twenties or early thirties, around 6 foot in height, medium build with black hair and carrying a black rucksack.

Police would like to hear from anyone who recognises this man or from anyone or has any information regarding any of the thefts and ask that they contact them on 101 quoting police reference EL/13/735 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org