Charge and arrest made following phone shop theft

Police detained two suspects after a handful of tester phones were ripped from a shop wall and stolen.  

Officers were called to Bridge Place, Worksop, at around 10.45am on Sunday (1 October), following reports a phone shop had been targeted by thieves.

A display case containing multiple mobile phones and a smartwatch was pulled from a wall during the incident, while a staff member who tried to intervene was also assaulted.  

Police attended the scene shortly afterwards and detained two suspects, while the phones were also recovered from nearby.

Florin Dragu, 19, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (2 October), after being charged with theft and assault.

Dragu, of St Agatha’s Road, Birmingham, was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 23 October 2023.

A 14-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of theft and assault and was subsequently released on conditional bail.

PC Tom Burton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The actions of shoplifters are far reaching in that they can be hugely damaging to communities and also have a real impact on people’s livelihoods too.

“This type of offending is completely unacceptable, as is the abuse and threats of violence some staff often face when trying to confront those they spot trying to steal items.

“We hope the quick response and the positive action taken during this incident shows the public just how seriously we take reports of shop thefts.”