Thief Nabbed After £6,000 Booze Heist Spree Across Kent and Beyond
Alexandru Cercel has been locked up for ripping off nearly £6,000 worth of alcohol in a two-year crime spree. His raids hit shops from Maidstone’s Tesco to stores across Essex and Hertfordshire.
Alcohol Heist Kingpin Busted Trying to Flee to France
Cercel, 39, made headlines after police found him queued with his car at Dover ferry port, ready to escape to France. He was promptly arrested. The crook had been wanted by multiple police forces for offences between October 2021 and June 2023.
Notorious for hitting the same Cambridge supermarket eight times in a single day, he swiped spirits worth over £1,000. His final caper on 13 June 2023, saw him and two mates pocket eight bottles worth £300 from a Farleigh Hill, Maidstone shop.
Guilty Plea and Jail Time for Serial Shoplifter
At Maidstone Crown Court, Cercel pleaded guilty to seven theft charges, while 24 other offences were considered. He was sentenced on 17 November to two years behind bars.
“When Cercel was arrested at the Port of Dover he claimed he’d only been in the UK two weeks visiting family and friends,” said PC Katie Blowers of Maidstone Victim Based Crime Team. “The truth? He was part of a ruthless gang targeting shops for pricey booze.”
“This case is probably just the tip of the iceberg. It’s reassuring to see the courts hit him with a tough sentence to protect local retailers.”
