Man charged after Winchester city centre operation

Officers from Winchester’s City Centre Team, along with the District Priority Crime Team and the Violent Crime Taskforce, completed a day of action yesterday (26 July) to target shoplifting in the city centre.

The aim was to target shoplifters and violent offenders in Winchester, using a mixture of high-visibility and plain clothes patrols.

As a result, Alexandru-Costin Radulescu, 34, of no fixed abode, was arrested and charged with shoplifting from Boots on the High Street.

Over £2,000 worth of items were stolen from the store and have since been recovered and returned.

Radulescu was remanded in custody to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates Court today, 27 July.

We have also reported a 26-year-old man for summons in connection with a theft from Tesco on the High Street.

A 50-year-old man was also reported for summons for a theft from Boots.

PC Graham McGee, from the Violent Crime Taskforce, said: “Business owners and shop staff should not have to come to work and face harassment and criminal behaviour. We know that this type of offending also has an impact on shoppers and local residents who visit these stores.

“We will continue to work hard to make Winchester a safer and more pleasant place for residents, visitors and businesses.”

If you are a victim of crime, or have information about crimes in your area, please report these to us via 101 or our online reporting tool on our website: Home | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Always dial 999 in an emergency.