Two Men Charged Following Series of Shop Thefts in Wolverhampton
Two men have been charged in connection with more than 30 separate shop thefts across Wolverhampton, with stolen goods valued at an estimated £25,000. The arrests were made this week as part of West Midlands Police's ongoing efforts to combat retail crime in the Black Country.
Craig Bird, 45, was arrested on Wednesday, July 1, and charged with 19 offences linked to alleged thefts at shops in Chapel Ash, Tettenhall, Bilston, and Ettingshall during May and June. The stolen items in these incidents are estimated to be worth around £2,000. Bird also faces a charge of breaching a criminal behaviour order that prohibited him from entering the Tettenhall Wightwick area.
Bird appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 2, and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear again at the same court on Friday, July 10, for a further hearing.
Second Suspect Charged in Separate Incident
Mark Curtis, 50, was arrested and charged after a shop on Codsall Road was allegedly targeted multiple times over the past four months. The items taken from that store are valued at over £700. Curtis has been charged with 11 offences of shop theft and has been bailed to appear at Dudley Magistrates Court on Thursday, July 16.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police stated: "These latest arrests and charges come as officers across Wolverhampton remain relentless in their pursuit of those who steal from our local shops. Among the teams are four Business Crime Officers and two PCSOs whose primary focus is to identify, trace and detain repeat offenders and serial shop thieves and bring them before the courts."
Police Launch New Retail Crime Operational Group
The force has also launched a new Retail Crime Operational Group, working with key partners to tackle the root causes of retail crime and share best practices for problem-solving at targeted premises. This initiative underscores the police's commitment to addressing crimes against businesses and shops in the area.
According to police, the combined value of goods allegedly stolen across all incidents exceeds £25,000. The arrests follow a series of thefts reported in recent months, prompting a focused response from Wolverhampton Police.
