News Beat
Brazen thief gets slammed to the floor in Eston shop
Jason Galloway, 22, of Wentworth Court, Eston, attempted to grab packs of meat from a fridge at a shop on Eston High Street, but was snared by three police officers.
Two off-duty police officers were standing right in front of him as he grabbed handfuls of meat and stuffed them into his jacket.
The officers grabbed him before a uniformed officer ran over to arrest him.
Galloway was charged with theft, along with three other shoplifting offences in the same area where he had stolen clothes, washing pods and steaks.
He was sentenced to a 16-week custodial sentence when he appeared in court on Monday, December 8 and was described as having a “flagrant disregard for people and their property”.
As part of policing across Christmas, Cleveland Police have shared the footage of Galloway’s daring theft and the takedown by police officers.
Chief Inspector Jamie Bell, Cleveland Police’s operational lead on retail crime, said: “Cleveland Police takes a proactive approach to preventing, reducing, and apprehending those who repeatedly steal from shops.
“As part of our Policing in the Heart of Your Neighbourhood initiative, officers carry out high-visibility patrols in town centres every day to tackle theft and antisocial behaviour.
“We work closely with retailers and security staff, encouraging them to report incidents promptly.
“This helps us build a clear picture of what is happening and provide advice on crime prevention, including shop design and the use of technology.
“When evidence such as witness statements, CCTV footage, or named suspects is provided, reports are fully investigated.
“In addition, our neighbourhood teams regularly engage with retailers and shoppers through pop-up stalls in stores, offering crime prevention advice and listening to concerns.
“We also use the full extent of our powers, including Criminal Behaviour Orders, which can prohibit offenders from entering certain retail premises or entire shopping areas.
“Retail crime doesn’t just affect businesses financially, it impacts staff who may face verbal abuse or even physical assault while simply doing their job. Nobody should fear violence or abuse in the workplace.
“While there is still work to do in tackling retail crime, our officers work tirelessly to address the issue and, despite the high volume of offences, continue to deliver strong results.”
