Police hunting for bag-snatching gang

Police are investigating a spate of thefts at a busy Coventry supermarket.



Shoppers have been targeted four times in just over a fortnight at Morrisons in Holyhead Road, Chapelfields.

No arrests have been made so far and one victim is warning shoppers to be on their guard.

Angela Devlin, aged 47, did not see the thieves who stole her bag on August 21.

“That was the scary thing,” she said. “I turned away for a split second and when I turned back it was gone.

“The chap on the butcher’s counter was very helpful but he didn’t see what happened either.

“He thought it might be a family with an empty pushchair – something like that.

“I went in there some time between 2.30-3pm. I was getting some ready meals for a lady I know.

“I got a small trolley and hooked my bag. The area it was stolen in hasn’t got any CCTV. It’s quite frightening. I didn’t feel anything.”

As well as the theft of Angela’s bag Coventry Police say there have been three further incidents between August 6-22. Mrs Devlin believes there may be more victims who have not come forward yet.

The first happened on August 6 while similar thefts happened on the 13th and the 22nd – the day after Mrs Devlin’s bag was stolen.

Mrs Devlin, from Coundon, added: “I lost quite a few sentimental things that were in my bag. Baby photos of my two sons and other things that I have resigned myself to never seeing again.

“I think it’s obvious that a gang is working down there and I think more needs to be done to alert people to what is going on.

“When I went into the building society after my bag had been taken I spoke to another woman who said she had been targeted.

“So far I’ve spoken to six people who have had bags pinched there.”

A Morrisons spokesman said: “We want our stores to be safe places for our customers to shop, so we operate CCTV and regularly remind customers to keep an eye on their valuables.

“We have taken additional security measures in the store following these incidents and are helping the police with their inquiries.”

Bag thieves strike at second Coventry supermarket

After spate of thefts at Morrisons in Holyhead Road victim of theft at supermarket chain's Binley branch comes forward.

On Saturday, we revealed how police were investigating a spate of thefts at Morrisons supermarket in Holyhead Road which had seen shoppers targeted four times in just over a fortnight.

The bag thefts had taken place between August 6 and 22 and one woman lost a number of sentimental valuables, including baby photos of her two sons.

Now another victim, who had her handbag snatched while shopping at the Morrisons in Skipfield Road, Binley, on August 17, has come forward.

Linda Protheroe, 63, said: “My mum died in July and I still had some money in my bag left over from the funeral as well as my holiday money.

“I normally just take my card with me and hold on to it, but this time I put my bag on the trolley hook.

“I didn’t take my hand off the trolley but only when I got to by the freezers did I notice it wasn’t there. I thought I had started pushing the wrong trolley – all sorts of thing to through your head.

“I haven’t heard anything from the police and now I am just trying to get my life back together and try and rebuild that trust of people.”

Police said that no arrests have been made and there were no witnesses, while CCTV footage had not provided any clues.

A Morrisons spokesman said: “We have taken additional security measures following the incidents and are helping police with their inquiries.”

It was probably the Binley store manager!

Morrisons manager jailed after stealing from Binley store

Man.26, jailed after targeting pensioner at Binley store because of drug debts



After snatching a pensioner’s bag as she left a Coventry supermarket, Christopher Hill pulled a knife on two members of staff who chased after him.

But although he got away, Hill, 36, of Craven Avenue, Binley Woods, was arrested later that day.

And after pleading guilty at the crown court in Leamington he was jailed for 16 months for the theft, with a consecutive eight-month sentence for possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Prosecutor John Brotherton said that in July last year a pensioner went shopping at the Morrisons supermarket in Brandon Road, Binley, Coventry.

As she got back to her car with her trolley Hill cycled up to her and snatched her bag before making off.

He was pursued by two members of staff from the store, but as they caught up with him in nearby Skipworth Road he pulled out a knife and pointed it at them.

They backed away, and Hill made off, but was arrested later that day.

He admitted the theft of the bag, explaining that he took it because of drug debts, but denied having a knife.

Mr Brotherton added that the bag was found, having been discarded by Hill, but £200 in cash was missing from it.

Ian Speed, defending, told the judge: “There is a letter from the defendant. It says it all.

“This is a man who was down and taking drugs and was in debt and desperate, and he did this horrible deed against a vulnerable victim.”

Mr Speed said Hill had been clean of illegal drugs and on a Methadone prescription while on remand, and is keen to address his drug use on his release.

“He is fully aware that he will return to prison today, and I’ve advised him it will be a consecutive sentence with regard to the bladed article.”

Jailing Hill, Recorder Geoffrey Kelly told him: You have pleaded guilty to two serious offences.”

He pointed out that the victim, who suffers from a curved spine, lost her husband in 2012 following a long illness, and was left in debt following his death.

“I have no doubt you targeted this woman because she looked elderly and vulnerable. To do that to her was truly despicable and wicked.

“For you to then take the knife out of your pocket and threaten those two men with it is also very serious.”