Knife-Wielding Thief Jailed After Terrifying Two Shops in Exeter and Peterborough
Normunds Aploks, 33, launched two frightening knife threats in broad daylight before being locked up for four years.
Knife Threat Outside Exeter Post Office
On the morning of 28 June, Aploks approached a woman withdrawing cash outside a post office on Exeter Road, Millfield. He asked for money to buy food. When she said no, he pulled out a knife and threatened to stab her. The terrified woman fled inside, and police were quickly called.
Knife Brandished Again in Peterborough Shop
Just a week later, at 6.40am on 5 July, Aploks struck again. This time at 1 Express in Oundle Road, Woodston, where he hid a box of 20 KitKats in his hoodie. A staff member caught him, but he responded by pulling a knife from his pocket and waving it at her before fleeing the shop.
He returned 15 minutes later, nabbed a box of pumpkin seeds, then ran off towards London Road.
Caught on CCTV and Sentenced
The Acquisitive Crime Team tracked down Aploks the next day, spotting him in Bridge Street and arresting him. At Peterborough Crown Court on Monday, he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, threatening with a knife, possession of a knife in public, and two counts of shop theft.
Judge sentenced him to four years behind bars.
