Shoplifter jailed after £4,000 worth of stolen goods discovered
A search of a vehicle uncovered a huge haul of stolen items including alcohol and multiple food items
A man has been jailed after officers in Chippenham uncovered stolen goods worth over £4,000.
Asa Manders, 49, of Bristol Road, Cromhall, was arrested on October 14 after police were called to Sainsbury’s in Bath Road, Chippenham.
Manders had been seen leaving the store with approximately £500 worth of stolen goods including chocolate, meat and Christmas and Halloween decorations.
The alarm was initially raised by staff after he was seen acting suspiciously at the tills paying for a small number of items.
Officers attended and arrested Manders and then uncovered a further £3,500 worth of suspected stolen goods.
Duty Insp Stefan Telford said: “Manders initially told police he had travelled to the supermarket from Gloucestershire via public transport, but this rang alarm bells and upon further investigating, we located a Mercedes Box van parked in the corner of the supermarket car park which we found was registered to Manders.
"A search was conducted of the vehicle and we found a huge haul of stolen items including alcohol and multiple food items."
Manders was remanded in custody and appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on October 15 where he pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment.
Duty Insp Telford added: “Manders is a prolific offender and this sentencing came about as a result of some really good work by one of our response officers and a member of our special constabulary who carried out extensive initial enquiries at the scene which uncovered the true scale of his offending.
"I am pleased a custodial sentence has been given on this occasion.”