A 45-year-old man reported for breaking into a McDonald’s in Liverpool was found carrying a huge number of Dairy Milk bars suspected to be stolen and was also accused of stealing AirPods
A 45-year-old man has been arrested in Liverpool after police found him laden with a huge stash of Dairy Milk bars – from classic to caramel nut crunch – suspected to be stolen.
The man was reported by a member of the public after breaking into the staff room of McDonald’s on Blundell Street, Brunswick. He was also accused of stealing AirPods, which officers found on him during his arrest – but the real surprise came when they discovered the chocolate bars.
The man was taken into custody by Merseyside Police on Thursday on suspicion of burglary and handling stolen goods and has since been questioned at a local police station.
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Constable Wilton from the Liverpool city centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This was vigilant and swift police work which has brought a suspect into custody.
“Our enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to identify businesses who have recently had a large quantity of chocolate stolen.”
After news of the chocolate thief broke, members of the public had a field day online. One user wrote: “Enough for all the station staff to enjoy” while another added: “Bit of a fruit and nut case.”
A third user echoed this joke, asking: “If he a fruit and nut case? Is he milking the situation? The smore I read the more I’m thinking he needs sending to mars. Good job on finding him, what a boost eh? Ok, I’ll get my coat.”
Another joked: “He was last seen on Jamaica street shouting ‘the milky bars are on me’.” Meanwhile, another poked fun at the cops, saying: “Only two bars submitted into evidence though eh?”
It comes after a serial shoplifter was jailed after targeting several high street chains, including Greggs, Co-op, JD Sport and M&S, in a ‘one-man crime wave’. Richard Brown, 46, admitted 20 thefts from shops, which amounted to more than £1,500 worth of alcohol and food taken from shops around Nottinghamshire during the summer.
He was caught on CCTV in an M&S Foodhall on July 18 in West Bridgford, where he pinched four bottles of cognac and two bottles of rum, worth £176. He was finally arrested on August 22 when police spotted him hiding behind a display in Specsavers.
Brown repeatedly targeted supermarkets and shops in West Bridgford, Chilwell, Nottingham city centre, and Lenton between May and August. On July 14, he stole from the Sainsbury’s petrol station on Castle Bridge Road four times in a single day, taking alcohol, ice cream and confectionery worth £40.
In total, Brown stole items worth £1,535, including bottles of alcoholic spirits, clothes, meat and other food, from Greggs, JD Sport, Co-op, Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer. He also breached a criminal behaviour order, which banned him from certain supermarkets in the area.
Brown, of no fixed address, admitted 20 theft charges and breaching the order and was jailed for 14 months at Nottingham Crown Court. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £187. The court heard Brown has racked up a staggering 266 offences over the last three decades.
