Four career shoplifters terrorising West Sussex shops have finally been locked up following a high-profile police crackdown. Sussex Police’s Operation Apprentice has nailed the repeat offenders who hit stores across the county.
Crackdown Nails Repeat Offenders
Operation Apprentice pools resources from cops, retailers, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, and local councils to hunt down the most persistent shoplifters. Recent investigations hauled four prolific thieves before the courts, landing hefty jail terms.
Thieves Caught Red-Handed
- Ryan Breach, 36, homeless, admitted 13 shop thefts and 8 criminal behaviour order breaches. Between October and December, he stole £205 of medicine from Savers, protein powder from Holland & Barrett, and £360 of Lego from Morrisons. Jailed for 16 months at Lewes Crown Court.
- Alex Nash, 33, Bognor Regis, admitted to 22 thefts, 12 criminal behaviour order breaches, and possession of class B and C drugs. Nash hit Tesco Express in Aldwick Road 15 times in just two months, even striking four times in one day. Also targeted Co-op stores in Chichester Road. Jailed for 10 months and ordered to pay compensation.
- Joshua Frasier, 31, homeless, pleaded guilty to 21 thefts in Crawley from October to January, stealing clothes from TK Maxx and goods from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Co-op. Sentenced to two years in Lewes Crown Court.
- Max Huggett, 34, Northgate, confessed to 17 thefts and 17 criminal behaviour order breaches between October and January. Repeatedly robbed Co-op in Langley Green and Tesco in Hyde Drive. Jailed for three months.
Police Warn: Retail Crime Won’t Be Tolerated
“Shop theft impacts retail staff and our entire community. We’re working closely with businesses to stop retail crime and bring repeat offenders to justice,” said Chief Inspector James Davidson.
He urged the public and retailers to report suspicious activity via 101 or online, and call 999 in emergencies.
This strong-arm action sends a clear message: West Sussex won’t stand for shoplifting sprees wrecking local stores.
