Shoplifter who struck at Eastwood and Kimberley stores tracked down by officers
A wanted shoplifter who targeted 11 shops – including stores in Eastwood and Kimberley – has been caught following a police appeal.
Ryan Monte, aged 38, struck at one store Co-op store in Wollaton on no less than seven separate occasions during his shoplifting spree.
Bottles of alcohol were usually at the top of Monte’s shopping list – with the thief walking out without paying each time.
While most of his shoplifting was limited to last December, he also helped himself to items in August and September too.
Four other shops – in Bulwell, Kimberley, Eastwood and Hucknall – were also hit by Monte, taking his shop theft total up to 11.
Officers have been on the lookout for the shoplifter for some time now and only last week put out a wanted appeal to try and find him.
It didn’t take long for this to lead to results, with Operational Support and response officers catching up with Monte on February 14.
Having already been linked to the 11 shop thefts, Monte was also charged with a further theft too.
This happened last June and saw him steal a woman’s handbag and a large quantity of cash.
Insp Gordon Fenwick, Neighbourhood Inspector for the City West, said: “We’d been trying to trace Ryan Monte for some time now, so were really pleased to catch him over the weekend.
“His arrest came within days of us releasing a public appeal to find him, so I’d like to thank everyone who got in touch.
“Monte’s shoplifting wasn’t isolated but took place over several weeks and saw him steal from five separate shops in total.
“So we hope him being caught and put before the courts will provide them with some respite.
“Shoplifting can cause real issues for the community and is unfair on honest shoppers who spend their hard-earned money.
“We’re therefore really pleased to see Monte will now be sentenced for his actions.”
Monte, of Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, pleaded guilty to each of the 12 charges when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on February 16
He will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on April 13.
Monte has been bailed with strict conditions until then, with requirements including him to be fitted with an electronic tag and have a curfew enforced on him.