Couple went on £30,000 Tesco shoplifting spree as they hit stores across 11 counties – including three in one day – to steal cosmetics, alcohol and beauty products
- Marian Oprescu, 27, was jailed for two years and three months for his spree
- His girlfriend Alexandra Radu’s sentencing was deferred for a further six months
Published: 10:48, 7 December 2023 | Updated: 14:37, 7 December 2023
A couple have been sentenced for shoplifting more than GBP30,000 worth of alcohol[2] and perfumes from Tesco[3] supermarkets across the country.
Romanians Marian Oprescu, 27, and his girlfriend Alexandra Radu, 24, of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, paraded through Tesco aisles before walking out of the stores without paying for items.
Oprescu, who was jailed for more than two years, acted alone in many instances between February and August this year – stealing from stores in 11 English counties from Gloucestershire to Northumberland.
He was sometimes accompanied by his girlfriend, and the pair mostly stole cosmetics, alcohol, washing detergent and health and beauty items by removing security tags.
On Tuesday, Nottingham[4] Crown Court heard the couple had been arrested at their home on September 6 and found a huge haul of stolen items during a search of the address.
Marian Oprescu, 27, pleaded guilty to 27 shop thefts worth around GBP25,000 and was jailed for two years and three months
Alexandra Radu, 24, pleaded guilty to seven thefts worth GBP6,000.
Her sentencing was deferred for six months while a judge told her she would walk free if she committed no offences in the meantime
The pair (captured on CCTV) strolled along multiple Tesco aisles before walking out of the stores without paying for items
Inquiries found Tesco stores were stolen from in 11 counties including Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and County Durham
Oprescu pleaded guilty to 27 shop thefts worth around GBP25,000, while Radu pleaded guilty to seven shop thefts worth around GBP6,000.
Oprescu was jailed for two years and three months, while Radu’s sentencing was deferred for six months.
A judge told Radu she will avoid a prison sentence if she commits no further offences before her next court appearance.
The pair were caught following an investigation led by Nottinghamshire Police, which was launched after a string of thefts at Tesco Extra in Jubilee Way South, Mansfield.
Inquiries found the pair also targeted Tesco stores in Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and County Durham.
The worst day of offending was July 24, when Oprescu stole nearly GBP10,000 of goods from three Tesco stores – one in Northallerton in North Yorkshire, as well as two stores in Stockton-on-Tees near Middlesbrough.
He also stole GBP7,000 worth of printer ink at a Tesco store in Northumbria on March 20.
Radu’s most prolific day was August 15, when she and Oprescu stole around GBP3,000 worth of goods from two Tesco stores in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
They mostly stole cosmetics, alcohol, washing detergent and health and beauty items by removing security tags before leaving the stores without paying
A bag filled with beauty products was among the bounty of stolen goods in the couple’s home
Police found bottles of spirits in the couple’s home that were identified as items stolen from Tesco
Investigators also found boxes filled with stolen washing detergent
Sergeant Louise Ellis, who led the investigation, said: ‘This was an intelligence-led investigation that involved more than 200 hours of work from ourselves and Tesco, who played a key role in gathering the evidence needed to put Oprescu and Radu before the courts.
‘Together they caused significant harm to stores across the country and we are pleased to see them face the consequences of their persistent offending.
‘Retail crime has been high on the public agenda and Nottinghamshire Police are leading the way in tackling the problem by working in partnership with large retailers.
‘By working together and streamlining processes, we are able to bring offenders to justice quicker and easier than ever before.
‘We will continue working closely with partners in the retail sector to prevent business crime.’
References
- ^ Stewart Carr (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ alcohol (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Tesco (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Nottingham (www.dailymail.co.uk)