Two men have been charged in connection with a series of alcohol thefts from supermarkets across Sussex.
On Saturday, February 8, at approximately 6pm, Cezar Soare, 39, and Andrei Secere, 37, both of no fixed address, were apprehended at Asda in Hollingbury after security staff intercepted them attempting to leave the store. CCTV footage had earlier identified two individuals behaving suspiciously in the spirits aisle.
Following their arrest, officers conducted enquiries in the surrounding area and discovered a vehicle containing around £2,100 worth of stolen alcohol and other goods. Many bottles still had security tags attached, confirming their illicit origin.
Subsequent investigations linked the pair to multiple shoplifting and attempted shoplifting incidents at supermarkets in Brighton Marina and Newhaven on February 8, as well as an earlier incident in Chichester on November 28.
On Sunday, February 9, Soare and Secere were officially charged and remanded to appear before court the following day.
Charges
Soare faces the following charges:
- Five counts of theft from a shop
- Two counts of attempted theft from a shop
- Conspiring to steal from a shop
- Going equipped to steal
Secere has been charged with:
- Three counts of theft from a shop
- Two counts of attempted theft from a shop
- Conspiring to steal from a shop
- Going equipped to steal
Both men appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 10, where they were remanded into custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 10.
Police continue to urge retailers and the public to remain vigilant against organised shoplifting activity and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately.
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