David Francis, 42, of no fixed abode but from Newport, smashed his way into the Orb Drive store in Lliswerry, Newport, at around 3.15am on Thursday 25 June, before running to the alcohol aisle and filling a bag with £380 worth of bottles.
Francis didn't know that a team of police officers were laying in wait. Newport east's neighbourhood policing team had been working closely with Morrisons' management following a spate of burglaries at the Lliswerry store and, that night, carried out a stakeout at the premises, with officers covertly watching the store from within.
Caught in the act
At the sound of smashed glass, police sergeant Sexton moved stealthily towards the aisle before tackling their suspect to the ground.
Francis appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court on Monday 3 August where he was given a sentence of four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to burglary.
Police response
Sergeant Chris Hopkin, the officer in charge of the case, said: "Partnership working is an essential part of neighbourhood policing, and we've been working closely with stores across Newport to offer crime prevention advice, strengthen security and respond robustly to make arrests.
"As evidenced recently during Operation Krypton, we're working round the clock to identify these offenders and put them before the courts.
"Every bit of information helps inform operations like this. If you have any concerns about burglary or theft offences in your area, then please take the time to talk to our officers."
