Man jailed after being caught red-handed during two-month shoplifting spree in Dudley
A prolific shop thief has been locked up after officers caught him red-handed after a two-month shoplifting spree in Dudley.
Lee Macdivitt, of no fixed address, was found to have stolen repeatedly from the same two stores in Dudley in July and September before he was caught in the act taking items off a shelf.
On July 10, police received reports that a store on High Street, Pensnett, had been targeted shortly before 6.30pm with nearly £50 worth of chocolate stolen.
Just six days later on July 16 at 4.50pm, three cases of beer were stolen from the same store before further reports were made on 26 and 27 July at a store on Commonside, Pensnett where over £100 worth of household items were taken.
The offences continued into September with the Commonside store being targeted on September 5 and 7, and the High Street store on September 8 with over £500 worth of items being stolen over the four days.
While taking statements the following day (September 9) in relation to the other thefts, PC Lee Gilbert, from Brierley Hill’s Neighbourhood Team noticed a man entering the Commonside store matching Macdivitt’s description.
Following the 37-year-old, he then spotted him taking items off the shelves and putting them into a bag.
Macdivitt's attempts to flee were stopped by PC Gilbert, with the pair crashing into drinks stands as he tried to avoid being arrested.
Appearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on December 3 after pleading guilty to 10 counts of theft from a shop and attempted theft from a shop Macdivitt was jailed for a total of 44 weeks.
A police spokesperson said: "Across Dudley and the West Midlands, we’re working hard to tackle shop theft offences, and arrests have risen over 60 per-cent in the last two years as we’ve improved the way we respond to crime reports.
"If an offence occurs, it should always be reported – and if the suspect is still present or has just left the store call 999 immediately and speak to acall handler who will be able to help.
For more information on support for retailers, click here: Business crime prevention | West Midlands Police
