A Romanian mother has been jailed for 32 months after orchestrating a brazen shoplifting spree across London, stealing luxury perfumes and cosmetics worth a staggering £120,000.
The 32-year-old woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was caught stuffing high-end items into a specially adapted skirt with hidden compartments. Her audacious thefts targeted multiple stores in the capital, where she systematically swiped expensive fragrances and beauty products.
The Shoplifting Scheme
Authorities revealed that the woman worked with an accomplice to carry out the sophisticated operation. The pair would enter stores separately, with the mother using her skirt to conceal stolen goods while her partner distracted staff.
Detectives tracked the duo through CCTV footage that showed them hitting various locations in quick succession. The stolen items were later found to be destined for resale on the black market.
Justice Served
At her sentencing hearing, the judge described the crimes as "a professional and persistent campaign of theft." The court heard how the woman had previous convictions for similar offences in other European countries.
"This was not petty theft but a calculated criminal enterprise targeting high-value goods," the prosecutor stated. "The scale and organisation involved merited a substantial prison sentence."
Police have warned retailers to remain vigilant against such organised shoplifting gangs, particularly those targeting luxury goods that can be easily resold.
