Six-Man Gang Nabbed for Nationwide Asda Theft Spree
Six criminals who terrorised Asda stores across the UK have been locked up for 42 months each. Nicolea Ilea, 36, Alin Mahai, 27, Florin Costea, 51, Stefan Florin, 31, Marius Meiosu, 25, and Gabriel Mocanu, 36, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 13 April.
From Tipton to Scotland: The £160k Crime Spree
The crime wave began on 29 April 2019 when Mahai and Ilea hit the Asda Great Bridge Supercentre in Tipton, West Midlands. Over the next five months, the others joined in. Together, the gang carried out at least 81 thefts from supermarkets up and down the country—from Newcastle and Cardiff to Bridgend, Fleetwood, and Alloa in Scotland.
They targeted high-value goods like printer cartridges, razor blades, nappies, and cosmetics, which were then sold on the black market.
How They Pulled Off the Heists
The gang worked as a slick team, distracting store security by triggering alarms on purpose. This ploy gave others the chance to flee with stolen goods unseen.
Their downfall came after a brazen raid at Asda Barons Quay in Northwich in June 2019 where they made off with around £1,000 worth of goods. Asda’s Asset Protection team quickly alerted Cheshire Police, suspecting a wider organised crime ring.
Police Crack the Case with CCTV and Credit Card Data
Detectives teamed up with Asda’s protection squad and the National Business Crime Centre. Using CCTV footage, ANPR cameras, and credit card records, they identified the gang and linked them to dozens more thefts.
On 10 September, officers raided a property in Oldham and arrested Meiosu, Costea, and Mocanu. They recovered stolen perfume, alcohol, over 50 razors, thousands of nappies, and seized three cars used in the crimes. The other three were arrested in the following months.
“This gang travelled to the UK with the sole intention of committing crime,” said Detective Constable Paul Matchett.
“They believed they could evade justice by spreading offences across the country. But they underestimated police-business teamwork and now face the music.”
Senior Crown Prosecutor Daryl Pollard added: “These serial criminals hoped to operate under the radar but we unraveled their spree by analysing CCTV and credit card transactions. We worked closely with police and stores to bring them to justice.”
DC Matchett praised Asda’s Asset Protection team for their vital role. “Shoplifting’s no victimless crime – the public picks up the bill through higher prices. The sentences should reassure the public and warn other offenders that retail stores aren’t easy targets.”
