Brazen thieves steal trolley full of beer

A group of young shoplifters calmly walked out of a busy supermarket with an entire shopping trolley stacked full of beer that was partially hidden under packets of crisps.

CCTV shows the trolley being passed between two of the thieves, along with the ‘lookout’ (Photo: Staffs Police)

They loaded up a trolley full of beer as well as some spirits and strolled out without paying, even though the store boasts a top-of-the-range CCTV system, on-site security guards and alarms.

It is also the second time the heist had been attempted by the same group of sticky-fingered shoplifters within a few weeks — with them having been caught and let go by the store security the first time.

The Daily Mail reports that three men first walked into the Sainsbury’s store in Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, at 6.50pm on July 16.

The group managed to leave the store without paying for a trolley loaded with pinched booze – including beer and spirits – that was hid under large bags of multipack crisps.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police, who have released the CCTV images in an effort to catch the thieves, said in a press statement: “On Thursday 3 July at 5pm three men entered Sainsbury’s in Union Street. Two of the men went to the alcohol section.

“The men were stopped in the doorway after attempting to leave the store without offering payment.

“On Wednesday 16 July at 6.50pm a similar incident occurred when three men entered Sainsbury’s in Union Street.

“It is believed two of the men were involved in the previous incident. This time they left the store without paying for a large quantity of alcohol.”