Cash-Grabber Tomas Lloyd Nabbed After Daring Shop Till Raids
Tomas Lloyd, 30, from Andover, was hauled before Salisbury Crown Court on November 3 for a string of audacious cash thefts from local shops.
Snatched Cash and Injured Staff
On August 8, 2020, Lloyd struck twice in Salisbury, hitting Aldi and Co-Op on London Road. Each time, he paid for cheap items then yanked money straight from the till. One cashier was hurt trying to stop him.
Crime Spree Across Towns – From Warminster to Melksham
- August 20: Lloyd and an accomplice raided Lidl in Warminster, stealing cash from the till.
- They jumped in a taxi to Trowbridge and pulled the same stunt at McColls, Castle Place.
- Next stop Melksham’s Iceland store where Lloyd, after buying two small items, shoved a cashier hard in the chest, causing injury, before fleeing with the till cash.
High-Stakes Getaway Ends in River Avon Arrest
Police were called, quickly spotting Lloyd in the store car park. He bolted and made a dramatic escape attempt by diving into the River Avon. After swimming to shore, officers caught and arrested him.
Lloyd was jailed for 15 months. Detective Constable Anthony Swift slammed his repeat offending and praised the courageous shop staff who risked injury to stop him.
“Lloyd is a prolific offender who has used the same criminal method to cause considerable loss to the retail sector as well as anxiety and upset to his victims,” said Det Con Swift.
“I would like to commend the actions of the shop workers who did all they could to prevent Lloyd, and unfortunately in the process sustained injuries.”
“I am pleased that Lloyd has been sentenced for these crimes – he is also serving a custodial sentence for committing identical crimes in Hampshire.”
