Man caught trying to use foil-lined shoebox to steal from supermarket

A shoplifter who was caught using a foil-lined shoebox in an attempt to steal from Sainsbury's has been ordered to complete a drug rehab course.
Court news.Court news.
Court news.

Marek Rogala, 40, of St James’s Road, Croydon, was sentenced at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday August 4.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from shops and one count of going equipped for theft, all in Crawley, and admitted breaching a conditional discharge.

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The court heard that staff at Sainsbury’s in Crawley Avenue spotted Rogala late at night on June 20.

He was seen putting computer games and small food items - worth a total of £199.47 - into a shoebox lined with foil.

Rogala was stopped by store security after walking past the checkouts.

Interviewed by police, he admitted what he had done, and said he had no money and planned to sell the stolen items for cash.

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In the early hours of July 12, he was caught trying to steal two bottles of brandy and two protein shakes - total value £60.50 - from Tesco in Hazelwick Avenue, Crawley.

On each occasion, the stolen goods were recovered undamaged.

The court heard that Rogala had five previous convictions for similar offences, all stemming from drug addiction.

He was given a six month community order, with a drug rehabilitation requirement, £50 costs, and an £85 victim services surcharge.

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