Prolific shoplifter Ben Price, 38, of Park Barn Drive, Guildford, was jailed for 21 months at Guildford Crown Court on May 31. It comes after he was spotted on CCTV at various shops across the county stealing alcohol from supermarkets and watches from a sports shop.
Price admitted the offences in a police interview and also asked for other offences to be taken into consideration – admitting that he looked to sell on the stolen items.
Inspector Dallas McDermott said: “Price is one of Surrey’s most prolific shoplifters and I am delighted that he is behind bars for his crimes. His sentence sends a message that we will not welcome thieves in Surrey and will seek to arrest those responsible, charge them and put them before the courts.
“I understand that this spate of incidents would have been distressing to the businesses and staff members concerned and I hope they will feel justice has been served.”
Price’s crime spree included thefts from Waitrose in Farnham on March 26 and April 19 this year, as well as three thefts from Waitrose in Godalming.
Supermarkets were also targeted in Cobham, Guildford, Hersham and Dorking, as well as Decathlon in Godalming, Homebase in Reigate and a service station in Leatherhead.