Shoplifter Armed with Needle and Knife Jailed for Threatening Staff Across Swale
A brazen shoplifter who terrorised staff with a needle and a knife in multiple Swale stores has been locked up. Lucille Willett, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to 14 offences and was sentenced to 19 months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court on 9 January 2020.
Baby Formula Heist Turns Violent
On the evening of 12 June 2019, Willett struck at a shop in Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne. She stuffed her bag with boxes of baby formula milk. When a staff member tried to stop her, she whipped out a needle and threatened to stab him. She even swiped at the staff before making off with the stolen goods.
Knife-Wielding Theft Spree Across Swale
Just six days later, Willett threatened a security guard with a knife while stealing 13 bottles of booze from a store in North Lane, Faversham. She didn’t stop there, committing 10 more thefts across Faversham, nicking alcohol, cosmetics, clothes, and bathing products.
On 27 June, she hit a member of staff in the face at a Preston Street shop before running off with her loot. Police arrested her later that day in St Nicholas Road.
Police Crack Down on Relentless Offender
Willett faced charges including threatening with a bladed article, possession of a blade, assault, and 11 theft counts between 12 and 27 June 2019.
“Willett targeted shops across Swale and was quite blatant in her approach. She threatened staff with weapons in order to steal whatever she wanted,” said PC Brian Mitchell of North Division CID.
“During one incident, she returned to the same shop three times in one day to steal alcohol. Thankfully, we identified her and stopped her relentless offending. She no longer poses a threat to local shops or their staff.”
