A 39-year-old man has been charged with shop theft and possession of a bladed item following an alleged shoplifting incident at the Jolly Sailor Retail Park in Tamworth.
Staffordshire Police were alerted to a man who was reportedly looking to shoplift from a store on Elmhurst Drive, where the retail park is located. The site includes shops such as Sainsbury’s, Pets At Home and TK Maxx.
Arrest and search of bag
Officers from Staffordshire Police's Tamworth team responded to the report. According to the force, a man’s bag was searched, and items relating to a reported theft from another store were found, along with a lock razer.
Riyen Lea, 39, of no fixed address, has been charged in connection with the incident. The charges are possession of a bladed item, shop theft and failing to comply with a community protection notice.
Court appearance scheduled
Lea was due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday, October 19. The case follows a report of a man who had tried to leave a shop on Elmhurst Drive without paying for goods.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police's Tamworth team said: “A man has been charged with weapon and theft offences in Tamworth.
“Riyen Lea, 39, of no fixed address, has been charged with possession of a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place, theft from a shop and failing to comply with a community protection notice.
“It comes after we responded to a report of a man who had tried to leave a shop on Elmhurst Drive without paying for goods.
“The man’s bag was searched, where items relating to a reported theft from another store were found, along with a lock razer.
“Lea was due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday (October 19).”
