Prolific Dudley thief jailed after stealing from 11 stores in three weeks
A prolific Black Country shop thief has been jailed.
Robert Philpott, aged 41 and of no fixed address, has been jailed after stealing hundreds of pounds' worth of items from stores across Dudley and Oldbury.
Philpott was jailed after admitting 11 shop theft offences in Oldbury, Dudley, Lye, Norton and Stourbridge.
Philpott stole a basket full of items, valued at £145, from a store in Regent Road, Oldbury, on June 29.
He then went on a three-week crime wave, stealing more than £1,000 of items from stores across the borough.
Philpot was brought to justice with the help of good quality CCTV images and local officer knowledge, West Midlands Police said.
On July 27, neighbourhood officers were conducting patrols in Brierley Hill when they spotted Philpott, and he was arrested on Mill Street.
He was later charged and admitted to all offences put to him.
He was jailed for 22 weeks at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on July 28.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We take retail crime extremely seriously and we understand the frustration it causes to shoppers, business owners and shop workers.
"If you see anything suspicious in your area, please report it by calling 101."
