A prolific York shoplifter has been jailed just days after ‘brazen’ thefts from two stores in York.
Last Friday (12 September) Luke Michael David Pearson, 33, took items from Sainsbury’s Local on Scarcroft Road.
The following day he stole from B&M in Foss Islands.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “In both instances, Pearson and his accomplice brazenly entered the shops, went straight to the detergent aisle and immediately stuffed a number of bottles of fabric conditioner into their clothing and a rucksack.
“They did not hesitate or look around but acted quickly and decisively in a manner that can only suggest pre-planning.”
Pearson, of no fixed address, was recognised from CCTV footage and was arrested on Sunday (14 September).
He acted with an accomplice and an investigation into their involvement remains ongoing.
Appearing at York Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Pearson pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop.
He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for each offence to run consecutively – 16 weeks in total.
PC Jonathan Lewis of York Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Shoplifting remains a priority for North Yorkshire Police.
“It costs businesses and the economy millions of pounds every year. It is not a victimless crime – businesses struggle when hit by shoplifters which has a knock-on effect on customers who feel the impact when businesses are forced to raise prices to compensate for their losses.
“It won’t be tolerated and we will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”
