A burglar who forced his way into a Morrisons supermarket was apprehended by officers conducting a covert “stakeout”.
David Francis, 42, broke into the Orb Drive branch in Lliswerry, Newport, at approximately 3.15am on Thursday June 25, before making straight for the alcohol aisle and stuffing a bag with £380 worth of bottles.
Francis, of no fixed abode but originally from Newport, was unaware that a team of police officers were lying in wait.
Newport East’s neighbourhood policing team had been working in close partnership with Morrisons’ management following a series of break-ins at the Lliswerry store and, on that particular night, mounted a stakeout on the premises, with officers keeping a covert watch from inside the building.
At the sound of smashed glass, police sergeant Sexton moved stealthily towards the aisle before tackling their suspect to the ground.
Sergeant Chris Hopkin, the officer in charge of the case, said: “Partnership working is an essential part of neighbourhood policing, and we’ve been working closely with stores across Newport to offer crime prevention advice, strengthen security and respond robustly to make arrests.
“As evidenced recently during Operation Krypton, we’re working round the clock to identify these offenders and put them before the courts.
“Every bit of information helps inform operations like this. If you have any concerns about burglary or theft offences in your area, then please take the time to talk to our officers.”
Francis appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday August 3, where he was given a sentence of four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to burglary.
