On June 30th, two men were arrested at the Salvation Army Clothing Bank in Market Square, Battle, after being caught in the act of stealing donated clothing. The van they were operating was so overloaded with clothes that they struggled to close its doors, leading to their immediate apprehension by authorities.
The individuals, identified as Viktoras Samulilis, 30, and Deividas Savickis, 24, both of St Leonards, Hastings, were detained on charges of theft from Salvation Army clothing banks. Their arrests came in the wake of reports linking them to over 22 similar thefts from clothing banks across East Sussex.
On August 21, 2024, the two men appeared before Hastings Magistrates in connection with the thefts at clothing banks in Battle and Eastbourne. Both were sentenced to a community order requiring them to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next twelve months. In addition, they were ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
The Salvation Army reported a significant loss as a result of these thefts, estimating that several tons of donated clothing had been stolen. The organization expressed concern over the impact on their charitable efforts, which rely heavily on the contributions made through these clothing banks.
This incident highlights the growing issue of theft from donation points, with the Salvation Army urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
