Zachariah Simms, 21, with no fixed address, has been formally charged with a series of thefts and robberies targeting businesses in Hastings and Bexhill. He was presented before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 November, facing allegations of eight thefts, three robberies, and possessing an offensive weapon in public.
The charges were filed following multiple reports of shoplifting at the Co-op store on London Road, St Leonards, occurring four times between August and September 2023. Additional thefts were reported in the heart of Hastings – at Sainsbury’s on 2 September, Marks and Spencer on 2 October, and Savers on 24 November. Bexhill’s Sainsbury’s also reported a theft on 1 November. The stolen items ranged from biscuits and coffee to alcohol and significant amounts of meat.
In three separate instances, employees and security personnel confronted a suspected shoplifter at different locations and faced threats and acts of violence. These confrontations took place at Morrisons in Queens Road, Hastings, on 2 October, Sainsbury’s in Bexhill on 7 November, and Asda in Battle Road, Hastings, on 27 November.
Simms has been detained and is scheduled for his next court appearance on Wednesday, 3 January 2024.
DC Debora Baptista said: “We acknowledge the financial and emotional impact business crime has on owners and employees, particularly when a business is repeatedly targeted.
“We work closely with businesses, local authorities and Business Crime Reduction Partnerships across Sussex, listening to the concerns raised by our business community and working with partners to see how we can best respond to address the issue. We take each report seriously, irrespective of the value, following up on any reasonable lines of enquiry.
“We would always encourage shop workers, business owners, and the local community to report offences to us so we can gather intelligence to help prevent, detect and respond to crime. If you are a victim or witness to any crime, you can report it online or via 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.”
Add your first comment to this post