Police on the Isle of Wight are investigating 4 reports of thefts at shops in Ryde, Shanklin and Newport that took place last week.
On Tuesday 3rd April at 14:00 someone took £140 in cash from the till at Osborne Taylors on the High Street in Ryde whilst a staff member was in the changing rooms.
The following day (Wednesday 4th April) at some point between 12:15 and 12:30 a man told a staff member at Shanklin Health Store on the High Street that he was looking for his mother’s walking stick. The man left the shop without the walking stick and it was later found that £150 in cash had been stolen from the till.
The man was described as white, aged in his 30s, 6ft tall, medium build with dark hair. He was wearing glasses and smart/casual clothing.
At 15:20 on the same afternoon a man told a staff member at Island Tanning and Beauty on St James’ Street in Newport that his mother had left her bag there. The man left without the bag and it was later discovered that £200 in cash had been taken from the till.
The man was described as white, aged in his 30s, 6ft tall, of medium to large build with fair or ginger-coloured short hair. He was wearing glasses, a white top, a blazer, and beige trousers.
On Friday 6th April at 15:35 a staff member at W Hurst & Son on Union Street in Ryde challenged a man in the shop after she heard the till drawer close while she was putting stock away. The man ran out of the shop and it was subsequently discovered that £210 had been taken from the till.
The man was described as mixed race, aged in his late 30s, 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build with short dark hair. He was clean shaven and was wearing jeans and a jacket.
Investigating officer PC Scott Carine said:
“We are carrying out enquiries to see if any of these reports are linked and would like to hear from any other businesses on the Island who may have seen a customer acting suspiciously in this way in their shops, even if nothing was taken.
“As part of this appeal I am releasing a CCTV image of the man seen at Island Tanning and Beauty in Newport on Wednesday 4 April. He may be able to assist our enquiries. Do you know who he is?”
Business owners are being encouraged to visit the Hampshire Constabulary website for further crime prevention advice – https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/protecting-your-business/business-crime/.
If you saw anything suspicious then call PC Scott Carine at Newport Police Station on 101 quoting 44180123688, alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
