Leatherhead Burglar Slammed with 3-Year Jail Term
A determined team of Surrey cops has locked up prolific thief Frank Smith, 27, after a string of daring burglaries left Epsom residents shaken and robbed.
Series of Crimes Targeting Homes and Businesses
Smith kicked off his crime spree in May 2022 by breaking into Buildbase in Epsom and making off with £4,400 worth of tools. That same month, he swiped a black Peugeot 3008 from outside a takeaway and a VW van from a petrol station forecourt while the owners were distracted inside.
Not stopping there, Smith later hit the Co-Op on Chessington Road, cracking the staff room safe and bagging several hundred pounds.
Preying on the Vulnerable
In June, while out on bail, Smith followed a woman from Sainsbury’s and snatched her bag as she unloaded shopping. The haul cost her around £1,000 in losses, including changing locks and replacing car keys. CCTV shows Smith using her stolen cash to buy lottery scratch cards and make contactless payments.
Smith’s raids also hit private homes. An elderly lady found a dresser drawer missing, stolen with jewellery worth around £4,000. CCTV caught Smith carrying off the goods.
Fake Gutter Repairs and More Theft from the Elderly
July saw Smith target an 83-year-old woman with a gutter scam. He demanded £135 after falsely claiming to have replaced rubber seals. No work was done, yet Smith later returned, broke in through a bedroom window, and stole her purse.
In September, Smith told a 90-year-old woman she had a rat problem to gain entry. After pestering her for work, he stole her wallet and purse. Her bank cards were then used for six contactless payments.
Detective Delivers Final Word
“Smith is a serial offender who escalated from petty theft to targeted burglaries and fraud, mainly preying on the elderly. His crimes caused serious distress and financial loss to vulnerable victims. Thanks to the hard work across units, we linked the offences to him, ensuring he’s now behind bars where he belongs.” – Detective Constable Sam Wightman
Smith’s conviction also covers nine other offences, including four more burglaries, three vehicle thefts, one fraud, and a stolen bicycle.
