Six Men Jailed for Large Scale Organised Shoplifting Operation

Thursday, 23 June 2016 09:08

A group of shoplifters who took part in a large scale organised shoplifting operation across West Yorkshire and beyond have been sentenced to a total of more than 22 years in prison.

Officers from the Protective Services (Crime) launched an investigation in late 2015 into the shoplifting that took place in supermarkets in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the North East region.

They found that the crime was worth over £50,000 and involved 39 cases

In February this year officers arrested six men who had been residing in West Yorkshire and charged them with conspiracy to steal over a 14 month period.

They all plead guilty to the charges between May and June and were sentenced to the following:

Adrian Ion Ciufu, 30, of Compton View, Leeds pleaded guilty on 8 June. He was sentenced to 3 years 9 months

Marius Vasile Ciufu, 29, of Dib Lane, Leeds pleaded guilty on 8 June. He was sentenced to 3 years 9 months

Alexandru Ionut Matei, 26, of Dib Lane, Leeds pleaded guilty on 27 May. He was sentenced to 3 years 4 months

Andonel Tofan, 26, of St Hilda's Road, Leeds pleaded guilty on 14 June. He was sentenced to 4 years 1 month

Dorin Nicusor Tibere, 47 of Strathmore Avenue, Leeds, pleaded guilty on 14 June. He was sentenced to 4 years 1 month

Alexandru George Ciufu, 21, of Compton View, Leeds pleaded guilty on 27 May. He was sentenced to 3 years 4 months

DI Andy Leonard of the Protective Services (Crime) Division, said: "This was a complex investigation, involving a highly organised gang who caused widespread economic harm to supermarkets in the region.

"This was an excellent example of West Yorkshire Police collaborating with regional forces to effectively combat organised criminal activity across the north of the UK."

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