A brazen thief smashed his way into a Nottingham store before filling wheelie bins with stolen goods.
Reece Wheat broke into Footlocker, in Clumber Street, in the early hours of 13 May and helped himself to clothing items and trainers worth approximately £3,000.
The 28-year-old then placed the items in two wheelie bins before fleeing with the goods.
Magistrates heard the wheelie bins were stolen from a nearby bar and that Wheat was helped by two accomplices.
Wheat was arrested later that day after a Footlocker employee spotted him wearing distinctive Nike clothing that matched the stolen items.
CCTV inquiries found he was responsible for the burglary and that he’d gained access by removing window bars and climbing into a toilet area within the premises.
Once inside, he changed into staff uniform in an apparent effort to thwart the subsequent police investigation, which includes compiling CCTV evidence.
But officers were not fooled and further inquiries found he was also responsible for breaking into a bike shed at Loxley House, in Station Street, on 25 May, where he attempted – but failed – to steal two bicycles. An electrical gate was damaged during the break-in, causing £600-£800 worth of damage.
Wheat was also identified as having stolen almost £30 worth of washing capsules from Savers, in Exchange Street, on 27 April. Following the shoplifting incident, he threatened a staff member who challenged him in the street after he failed to pay for the items.
Wheat, of no fixed address, went on to plead guilty to two counts of burglary, two counts of theft and using threatening words with intent to cause fear of violence.
He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (26 May) and was jailed for nine months.
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