Thieves steal £50,000 worth of alcohol through hole in the wall

Two people have been arrested after a wine merchant in Nottingham was burgled three times last month, with the thieves making off with £50,000 worth of stock after burrowing through a wall.

Image: Nottinghamshire Police

The shop on Derby Road in central Nottingham, which has not been named by police, was targeted three times last month.

Burglars broke in twice on 17 October, with a further theft occurring on 23 October. They gained entry after accessing an empty neighbouring property and making a hole in the wall.

Nottinghamshire Police estimate that the value of the goods stolen amounts to over £50,000.

Nicholas Lowe, 39, from Nottingham has been arrested and charged with three counts of burglary and one count of criminal damage. Police have also arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of burglary.

Detective Constable Sean Davison, commented: “Burglary is a really upsetting crime and that can especially be the case for people who are targeted when they are just trying to make an honest living.

“It’s really important to us that we’re protecting businesses during this really difficult time for them. We will continue to do all we can to disrupt those who target commercial buildings.

“Businesses can help us by reviewing their security and looking at our crime prevention advice so that together, we can stop criminals in their tracks.

“Clearly this is a huge hit to someone’s livelihood and we will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”

This is the second high-profile alcohol theft that took place last month. High-end Parisian wine retailer Les Caves de Taillevent was also burgled, and like the Nottingham incident, the thieves are believed to have gained access to the building next door. They then cut a 50cm hole in the wall and used a rod to ‘fish’ for the bottles they were after.

Authorities reported that they stole 20 bottles of grand cru wine worth a combined €50,000.

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