Arrests after shop allegedly handles stolen goods

Arrests have been made in Birmingham after staff from a shop were caught on camera allegedly buying a random mix of stolen goods – to sell in their own store.

Police suspect the shop to have purchased stolen alcohol and chocolate on as many as 60 occasions between August and November 2022.

Some of the items seen dropped off at the shop include whiskey, beer, cider and cigarettes. Police say they have also seen money handed over in exchange for tubs of Quality Street, Heroes, Celebrations, Ferrero Rochers, full display boxes of snack bars, and cans of Red Bull.

The store, which is not being named as legal enquiries continue, first came to the attention of police in November 2022, when two males were arrested shortly after leaving the premises. They had been detained in relation to a theft of alcohol worth roughly £350 from another shop.

Local police were investigating bulk, organised theft from Birmingham shops and believed they knew the offenders. A police report from that day claims CCTV ‘clearly shows’ a member of staff buying several bottles of stolen alcohol from one of the males who had been arrested.

A staff member was then also arrested for handling stolen goods and the CCTV footage was seized by police, along with other items they believed to be stolen including razor blades and branded pain relief tablets. Subsequent checks revealed as many as 60 incidents where suspected stolen goods were allegedly purchased by shop staff.

One such incident occurred in September 2022, when a ‘prolific’ city centre shoplifter was seen entering the store with three multi-packs of beer. A report claims staff handed the man cash and put the beer behind the counter.

Another incident in October, 2022, saw staff hand over cash after a man had placed a black bag full of Lindt advent calendars behind the counter. More CCTV footage shows cash apparently exchanged for a variety of chocolate bars and alcohol products.

Birmingham City Council is now set to review the store’s licence. West Midlands Police said it has no confidence in the management of the shop and wants to see the licence revoked.

A statement from West Midlands Police reads: “The investigation remains ongoing and the suspect was released under investigation.”