Shop Staff Busted for £8,000 Theft Spree at Salisbury’s The Range
Two former employees of The Range in Salisbury have been caught red-handed after a nine-month crime spree, stealing thousands of pounds worth of goods from the store.
Calculated Theft Scheme Uncovered
Liam Snook, 34, a sales manager from Blackfriars Way, and Sarah Brooks, 34, a shop assistant from Coronation Road, plotted their thefts between May 2023 and January 2024. The duo coordinated their heists mainly on days they shared car journeys to work, hitting the store regularly every Monday and Thursday.
They exploited store policy by waiting until other staff left, then sneaking back inside to steal under the cover of darkness. Their actions violated strict rules banning employees from locking up alone or re-entering after closing time.
Diligent Employee Sniffs Out Scam
The scam was exposed thanks to a vigilant new staff member who noticed odd closing routines. On January 29, 2024, The Range’s area loss prevention manager caught Snook and Brooks in the act. Both were suspended immediately, and stolen goods were partly clawed back through pay deductions.
Sentences Handed Down
- Liam Snook: Nine months suspended prison sentence, 150 hours unpaid work, 15 rehab days, £2,866 compensation, and £272 court costs.
- Sarah Brooks: Community order, 167 hours unpaid work, £2,866 compensation, and £199 court costs.
Police Slam ‘Cold-Hearted’ Theft Duo
“This was a calculated, high-value series of thefts during which Snook and Brooks abused their trusted positions as employees to steal thousands of pounds worth of goods,” said Local Crime Investigator Ange Dowsett.
“Their criminality was motivated, lengthy, and without remorse. CCTV footage captured their jubilant, planned mood while committing the crimes. Thanks to the reporting employee’s diligence, justice was served.”
Warning to Employers: Stay Alert to Staff Theft
Wiltshire Police urge all businesses to maintain tight security and report suspicious behaviour. This case highlights how internal theft can cause serious damage and shows employee vigilance is key to stopping losses before they mount.
