Police Nab Thief with 1,000 Stolen Phones and Sword in Hackney
Met officers have arrested a wanted man in his 30s linked to a huge haul of stolen goods, including nearly 1,000 mobile phones, 100 laptops, and even a sword. The arrest came as part of Operation Venice on Wednesday, 29 April.
17 Offences Spanning Years
The suspect faced 17 charges dating back to 2018. His crimes include burglaries and multiple thefts of handbags and phones from cafes. He was also wanted for failing to appear in court.
Organised Crime Sting Uncovers Massive Stash
Police raided several Hackney addresses tied to the man. They recovered a treasure trove of stolen tech and a large amount of cash, all packed and ready for overseas shipment.
“Based on the way the goods were packaged, and from documentation retrieved, it would appear this suspect was operating within an organised criminal gang involved in the theft of goods in the UK, which were destined to be shipped overseas,” said Acting Detective Inspector Gavin Collins.
“This is a man who officers have been looking to arrest for some time now for numerous offences.”
Met Warns Public to Stay Vigilant
Despite quieter streets during Government restrictions, the Met urges the public to keep valuables out of sight. “Criminals will take any opportunity to steal,” added Det Insp Collins.
The suspect remains in custody at a central London police station as investigations continue.
