Gareth Hall, 44, of Newhall Road, Rowley Regis, has been jailed after admitting to nearly 30 shop thefts across Sandwell and Dudley.
Hall targeted four shops in Rowley Regis and Halesowen, stealing more than £1,300 worth of items. He repeatedly entered stores, stole merchandise, and walked past tills—even when challenged by staff.
Thanks to high-quality CCTV footage, police linked Hall to 29 separate thefts. After exhausting all enquiries, a social media appeal was launched to locate him. A member of the public provided information that led to his arrest.
Hall appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court and was sentenced to 19 months in prison.
PC Phillip Kingsley of the Sandwell South Retail Crime Team condemned Hall’s actions, saying, “He showed complete disregard for businesses and their employees. His jail sentence reflects the frustration and misery he caused.”
West Midlands Police reported a 60% rise in arrests for shop theft in the last two years as officers improved their response to retail crime. The Sandwell South Retail Crime Team specifically targets prolific offenders, patrols hotspot areas, and works closely with retailers to tackle shoplifting.
