Two charged over £10,000 cigarette thefts across Sussex
The pair has been charged with six counts of burglary
Last updated 4th Jan 2022
Sussex Police have charged two people as part of an investigation into a series of burglaries across Sussex in which £10,000 of cigarettes were stolen.
32-year-old Emily Cooper, of no fixed address, and 27-year-old Reuben Thompson, of George Williams Mews in Portslade, were both charged with six counts of burglary and two counts of attempted burglary.
Police became aware of a number of incidents in November and December that appeared to be linked.
Local businesses reported being broken into by intruders who then stole significant numbers of cigarettes.
At around 4am on Thursday 23rd December, officers received reports of an ongoing break-in at a Post Office in Mill Lane, Portslade.
CCTV footage showed four people breaking into the store before leaving with cigarettes worth around £10,000, cash from the till, a charity tin and alcohol.
Officers searched the area and a van believed to be linked to the break-in was discovered in Downsland Crescent, Hove.
A search of the vehicle revealed items stolen from the Mill Lane Post Office.
Cooper and Thompson were the vehicles occupants and were later arrested.
Thompson was further charged with criminal damage, using threatening language and possession of cannabis.
The pair are remanded in custody pending a later court date.
Sussex Police have also launched a witness appeal to help identify other perpetrators as the investigation continues.
Detective Inspector Simon Morgan said: "The break-ins are predominantly understood to have taken place in Brighton and Hove, but have also been reported in East Sussex and as far west as Chichester.
"Anybody who has any information which could help with the investigation can contact police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Burrow."