Couple went on £30k Tesco shoplifting spree as they hit stores across Staffordshire

A shoplifting couple raided Tesco stores in Staffordshire as part of their countrywide GBP30,000 crime spree. Marian Oprescu targeted different branches of the supermarket between February and August this year - with his partner Alexandra Radu joining him on a number of occasions. Police[1] started an investigation into the pair after a series of thefts at Tesco Extra in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Officers later discovered stores in Staffordshire and 10 other counties were also targeted. They mostly stole cosmetics, alcohol, washing detergent and health and beauty items by removing security tags before leaving the stores without paying. In total, at least GBP30,000 worth of products were stolen between February 23 and August 30.

On July 24, Oprescu stole almost GBP10,000 of products from three Tesco stores in Northallerton, 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. READ: Bentilee mum's horror as son, 10, shoved out of way during brazen defrosting car theft[2] | Kasia Wasilewska said she and her son were left shaken after the terrifying incident, which happened when she briefly went in the house to get an ice scraper

READ: Family tribute to football-mad Smiler, 31, who was pulled from river after crash[3] Talented footballer Kial Thurman was described as a 'bright, creative, and kind young man' who was rarely seen without a football by his feet Oprescu and Radu stole approximately GBP3,000 worth of goods from two Tesco stores in Mansfield - in Jubilee Way South and Chesterfield Road South on August 15. Nottingham Crown Court heard the couple's offending was brought to an end when Nottinghamshire Police arrested them at their North Lincolnshire home on September 6, with a huge haul of stolen items subsequently found during a search of the address.

Oprescu, aged 27, went on to plead guilty to 27 shop thefts worth approximately GBP25,000, while Radu, 24, pleaded guilty to seven shop thefts worth around GBP6,000. The couple, of Buckingham Street North, Scunthorpe, were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (December 5).

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.

Sergeant Louise Ellis, of the Nottingham City Priority Crime Team, which 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."

The 11 counties targeted were Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and County Durham.

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References

1. ^ Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ Bentilee mum's horror as son, 10, shoved out of way during brazen defrosting car theft (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ Family tribute to football-mad Smiler, 31, who was pulled from river after crash (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ Sign up to our main daily newsletter here and get all the latest news straight to your inbox for FREE (data.reachplc.com)