See shoplifter who stole from the same shop near Oldbury eight times within weeks
A prolific shoplifter is behind bars after targeting the same store in Sandwell eight times during a matter of weeks.
A “prolific” shoplifter who stole from the same Rowley Regis store eight times in three weeks fleeing with more than £200 worth of goods in a crime spree.
Donald Hornby, of no fixed address, began his theft crime spree on April 6 heading into a shop, in Throne Road, just after 7am and snatching around £92 worth of items from the shelves before leaving without paying.
Hours later Hornby, aged 34, headed back to the same store at around 12.15pm and placed £122 worth of goods inside his bag and walked out without payment.
He returned twice on April 9 at 1pm and 3.55pm, again taking items off the shelves and refusing to pay. Then on April 18 and 20 targeting it a further four times over the two days.
By now officers wee on the look out for the thief whose spree was halted when an off-duty officer spotted him at a food store at Oldbury Green Retail Park, off Oldbury Ringway on April 24 where he was again seen to be placing items into a bag and attempting to flee.
A struggle ensued when Hornby attempting to choke the officer who was attempting to stop him from leaving. Detaining him, other officers arrived on the scene to help and took Hornby into custody.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, assaulting a police officer and failing to comply with a notification requirements at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on April 27.
The bench jailed him for 10 months and six months.
Sgt Jason Walters, of South Sandwell Retail Crime Team, said: “Hornby showed a complete disregard for the law and targeted the same store countless times and even when confronted still attempted to get away with his crimes.
“We’ll always do everything in our power to find, arrest and put those responsible for making the lives of shop workers and businesses a misery and I’m glad that he’ll now serve time for his crimes.
“I want to encourage stores to continue reporting incidents like this to us – without your help we can’t target those responsible and prosecute them.”