Man charged with 22 shoplifting offences in Debden

A man’s been charged for shoplifting multiple times from the BP Garage in Debden (credit: Google Maps)

A man’s been charged with 22 shoplifting offences at a garage in Debden.

Officers were called to the BP Garage in The Broadway at the weekend to report multiple thefts over the course of a month, where over £5000 worth of produce had been stolen.

Enquiries were launched and a further similar report came in the following day.

After pursuing a suspect on foot, a man was arrested in connection with these thefts.

Richard King, 39 of no fixed abode has since been charged with 22 counts of theft from a shop and common assault.

He’s been remanded in custody and will appear at Basildon Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 20 December.

Chief Inspector Tina Cooper, District Commander for Brentwood and Epping said: “Securing a charge for this investigation was fantastic collaborative work between our Local Policing Team, Community Policing Team and Town Centre Team.

“Thefts from shops have a detrimental effect on the businesses, their employers and members of the public and it’s something we take seriously.

“We will continue to work closely with our local shops and businesses to prevent shoplifting offences and investigate them thoroughly when they are reported.”