Asda nappy gang targeted stores across Lancashire in 160k theft spree – Lancs Live

A crime gang who stole high value items in a campaign of thefts from Asda supermarkets across the Lancashire have been jailed.

The offenders were captured on CCTV footage shamelessly plundering supermarket shelves after distracting store security staff by intentionally activating the security alarms.

They struck at least 81 times across stores in Blackpool, Accrington, Fleetwood, Rawtenstall and further afield across England, Scotland and Wales and made off with goods worth more than 160,000.

The gang specifically targeted high value items such as printer cartridges, razor blades, cosmetics and thousands of nappies which they would then sell on.

Alin Mahai, 27, of Belvidere Road, Dingle, Nicolea Ilea, 36, of Whitehall Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, Stefan Florin, 31, of HMP Risley, Florin Costea, 51, of Darwin Street, Oldham, Marius Meiosu, 25, of Darwin Street, Oldham and Gabriel Mocanu, 36, Darwin Street, Oldham were jailed for 42 months in prison each during a hearing at Chester Crown Court. They had all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal.

Cheshire Police, describing the men as a 'Romanian crime gang', said they had come to the UK 'with the sole intention of committing crime'.

Asda stores were primarily targeted by the thieves and their first crime was committed in April last year, at an Asda store in the West Midlands.

Between April and September in 2019 the group went on to commit at least 81 separate offences at stores as far afield as Fleetwood, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cardiff, Bridgend and Alloa in Scotland.

On each occasion the gang worked together as a team to distract the stores security staff by intentionally activating the security alarms.

This enabled other members of the gang to escape the store with the stolen items without being spotted.

Their downfall began after they targeted the Asda Barons Quay store in Northwich in June 2019 and stole approximately 1,000 worth of items.

Following the theft, Asdas asset protection team contacted Cheshire Constabulary to report the incident, which they believed was part of a nationwide series.

Over the next two months detectives from the Northwich Beat Initiative Team worked closely with Asdas Asset Protection team and the National Business Crime Centre.

Using CCTV footage, ANPR camera's and credit card data they were able to identify the gang members and link them to at least 80 other incidents across the country.

After the detectives had gathered extensive evidence, Meiosu, Costea and Mocanu were all arrested on September 10 following a raid conducted by officers from Northwich Local Policing Unit at an address in Darwin Street, Oldham.

During the warrant officers recovered a number of stolen items including perfume, alcohol, more than 50 razors and thousands of childrens nappies.

They also seized three cars which the gang had been using to commit their crimes.

Following their sentencing, Detective Constable Paul Matchett from Cheshire Police said: It is clear that this gang travelled to the UK with the sole intention of committing crime.

They set up their base in Oldham and from there they travelled to stores across the UK and stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of items.

They believed that they could evade justice by spreading their crimes across the country in a bid to keep a low profile.

While their plan worked initially, they underestimated the partnership work between the police and the business community and they are now behind bars facing the consequences of their actions.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Daryl Pollard of the CPS said: These serial criminals targeted various ASDA stores throughout the UK hoping to operate under the radar, stealing 160,000 of goods from supermarkets to sell on.

We were able to unravel their crimes by carefully evaluating CCTV footage and analysing credit card transactions. We worked very closely with the police and stores to bring these criminals to justice.

DC Matchett added: I would like to recognise the work that Asdas Asset Protection team has undertaken and I have no doubt that without their support this gang would still be targeting stores across the country.

Its important to remember that shoplifting is not a victimless crime, and its the general public who end up footing the bill through increased prices.

I hope that the sentences handed to this gang provide reassurance to the public and business community and act as a warning for other offenders who think that retail outlets are easy targets.

Download the LancsLive app for free on iPhone here and Android here.

You can sign up for free daily updates with the LancsLive newsletter here

Go here to see the original:

Asda nappy gang targeted stores across Lancashire in 160k theft spree - Lancs Live