Man arrested for further alleged offences in Romsey commercial burglary investigation

Detectives investigating a series of commercial burglaries in the Romsey area have arrested a man in connection with further offences.

Officers are making enquiries into ten offences at stores in Romsey, North Baddesley and Hedge End, which occurred between Monday 11 December last year and Friday 21 June this year.

In most of the offences, vehicles were used to gain entry to the stores. Cigarettes and vapes were amongst the items targeted.

Previously, we disclosed that a 19-year-old man from Romsey had been arrested in connection with two burglaries – a burglary at the Morrisons store in Cornmarket, Romsey, on Monday 11 December, 2023, and another at the Londis store in Mercer Way, Romsey, on Thursday 14 December, 2023.

On Monday 8 July, he was further arrested in connection with the eight other incidents in the series, which are:

• Cigarettes stolen from the Morrisons store in Cornmarket, Romsey after damage had been caused to the shopfront on Monday 18 March
• Damage caused to the front of the shop at the Co-op fuel station in Winchester Hill, Romsey also on Monday 18 March. Nothing reported stolen
• Burglary at Morrisons in Cornmarket, Romsey on Thursday 16 May, in which cigarettes were stolen
• Burglary at Fleming Stores, in Fleming Avenue, North Baddesley, on Tuesday 4 June. Vapes and cigarettes were stolen
• A window was smashed at the Bradbeers store in Bell Street, Romsey, in the early hours of Thursday 13 June. Bottles of perfume were stolen
• Attempt made to enter the Morrisons store in Cornmarket, Romsey in the early hours of Monday 17 June. Nothing was stolen
• Cigarettes stolen from the Morrisons store in Cornmarket, Romsey in the early hours of Friday 21 June
• Cigarettes and vapes stolen from the post office in St Johns Road, Hedge End, on Friday 21 June

He has been released on conditional police bail until Tuesday 8 October, pending further enquiries.

As previously stated, three other people have been arrested as part of this investigation.

On Monday 24 June, officers arrested a 16-year-old boy from Southampton on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal, in connection with the burglary at the Co-op fuel station in Winchester Hill on March 18.

He had previously been arrested in connection with the burglaries on December 11 and 14.

On Friday 21 June, a 20-year-old woman from Romsey was arrested on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal, in connection with both burglaries on June 21 and the burglary at Bradbeers on June 13.

On Wednesday 19 June, a 17-year-old boy from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal, in connection with the burglary at the Morrisons store on March 18.

He had previously been arrested in connection with the burglaries on December 11 and 14.

All three people have been released on conditional police bail while our enquiries continue. 

Anyone with any information that could help our enquiries should contact police on 101, quoting the reference number 44240267413.

Alternatively, people can report information by visiting our website - https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

People can also give information anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.