A second man was charged after an assault and robbery at Lakeside Shopping Centre
Avram Stoica, 18, of Pretoria Road, is the second person to be charged after the incident in which a phone was also stolen at around 5pm on Sunday, 24 September.
He’s been charged with robbery, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Following a police investigation which included reviewing CCTV and speaking with witnesses, the first arrest was made on Sunday, 17 October.
A 15-year-old boy, from Barking, was charged with theft, assault by beating and using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 19 October, where he denied each of the offences.
The teenager faces a trial at the same court on Tuesday, 5 March 2024.
Stoica was then arrested on Thursday, 29 November.
He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 1 December and was remanded in custody until a further hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, 2 January 2024.
DI Richard Trower, of Grays CID, said: “Getting to the point of charge following this arrest involved around-the-clock work from a number of officers and staff across several investigations teams.
“We continue to conduct a thorough and forensic investigation into this incident, as we know all too well the fear and anxiety such incidents cause.”
Chief Inspector Tony Atkin, Thurrock district commander, said: “We work closely with businesses and Thurrock Council to ensure we are doing all we can to protect law-abiding shoppers and employees going about their work.
“No-one deserves to fall victim to an incident of this nature.
“Such incidents do remain rare, but where they arise there is a joined-up approach from many teams within Essex Police, as well as our partners in the council and within the business community, to conduct a thorough investigation, securing arrests and charges.”
Tags: Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock, Grays
