Freelance robber caught after sparking chaos with whisky bottle threats!
Spate of shop robberies ends in swift arrest
Ben Sharpe, 22, homeless and on the loose, caused mayhem across Fareham on the evening of 15 September. First, just after 7pm, he stormed into the Spar on Arundel Drive and shoved a staff member while trying to rip off the till. He fled with a bottle of Jack Daniels and some pink 1.
Whisky bottle weapon at Esso and One Stop
An hour later, Sharpe threatened staff at the Esso petrol station on Gosport Road, waving the whisky bottle and demanding cash. He grabbed a worker and tried to open the till himself but made off empty-handed.
Minutes later, he was back at the One Stop on the same road, again brandishing the bottle and demanding money and cigarettes. He escaped with some Kopparberg cider.
Fast police action lands Sharpe behind bars
Less than 10 minutes after the last robbery, police nabbed Sharpe. He faced charges for attempted robbery, two robberies, and cannabis possession. On top of that, he was recalled to prison to finish a five-year sentence from an April 2020 Romsey shop robbery.
Appearing at Winchester Crown Court on 18 November, Sharpe pled guilty and was locked up for 32 months for his recent spree.
DC Ellie Light said: “This is a positive result following an investigation into multiple robberies in local shops. During this, members of the public were threatened and physically assaulted. These victims were targeted whilst going about their day-to-day lives. We commend these victims for coming forward and assisting the police in this investigation.”
