Prolific criminal targeted Cambridge businesses in crime spree

He targeted businesses just days after getting a suspended sentence for similar offences

A prolific criminal targeted businesses in a spree of raids in Cambridge just days after getting a suspended sentence for similar offences. Robert Rust, 38, was given a suspended four-week jail term at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court for burglary and theft offences on March 19.

Days later, he stole a locked bike from racks at Cambridge Railway Station overnight, on March 21 to 22. He then tried to break into Dino’s Barbers, in Green End Road, Chesterton, in the early hours of March 22.

He was unsuccessful and instead broke into the Mermaid Chinese Takeaway next door, stealing a tip jar containing £10. Later the same day, Rust stole a locked e-bike from the bike racks at Parkside Pools.

He then targeted the Co-op, at Cambridge North Railway Station, four times in April, where he stole meat, alcohol, vapes and chocolate. Rust was identified from CCTV footage and arrested by officers in Maitland Avenue on Thursday (April 9).

On Friday (April 10), Rust pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, two counts of burglary, attempted burglary, theft of a pedal cycle and theft of a conveyance other than a motor vehicle or pedal cycle at Cambridge Magistrate’s Court. Rust of Minerva Way, King’s Hedges, Cambridge, was jailed for six months.

DC Sam Andrews, who investigated, said: “Rust causes nothing but misery for residents and businesses of Cambridge with his repeated burglaries and thefts. He clearly isn’t learning and we will continue to do everything in our power to bring him to justice so long as he continues offending.”