Shoplifter who targeted Fenland stores caught with £1,000 haul in car

A shoplifter has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after admitting stealing thousands of pounds worth of goods from Fenland supermarkets.

Mitica Baiaram, 34, was arrested at Tesco Extra, in Cromwell Road, Wisbech, on January 25 after being stopped by security after leaving with a trolley full of stolen items.

A search of his car by police officers uncovered 336 individual stolen items worth £1,069, including chocolates, cleaning products, children’s lunchboxes, toiletries, alcohol, and towels.

Baiaram was also arrested for four other theft offences:

• About £900 worth of items from Asda, in North End, Wisbech, on January 8

• About £360 worth of items from Tesco, in Hostmoor Avenue, March, on January 22

• About £500 worth of items from Tesco Extra, in Cromwell Road, Wisbech, on January 22

• About £500 worth of items from Tesco Extra, in Cromwell Road, Wisbech, on January 23

Baiaram, of Harris Street, Millfield, Peterborough, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement after previously pleading guilty to five counts of theft from a shop.

He must also pay £375 in compensation to Tesco and £125 to Asda.

PC Fran Plitsch, who investigated, said: “We are working hard to target shoplifters who are stealing from businesses in our towns and cities and bringing misery to customers and employers.

“We urge businesses to continue to report any theft to us so we can ensure people like Baiaram are held accountable for their actions.”