Gazette News
Man wanted over Wickes thefts
4:24pm Tuesday 21st February 2012
A PICTURE has been released of a man suspected of defrauding stores of a DIY chain, including one in Basingstoke.
Sussex Police believe the man has pocketed £9,000 by getting refunds at Wickes stores across the South East with products he did not buy.
Officers are linking 37 frauds between August 2 last year and January 12 this year. The fraud at the Basingstoke store, in Churchill Way West, took place on November 23.
PC Richard Valder-Davis, of the Brighton and Hove Investigation Team, said: “This man appears to be travelling across the South East and further to carry out these frauds at Wickes stores.
“He enters the shops and takes an item from the shelves, generally kitchen items, then takes them to the till and claims to have previously bought the product but no longer has the receipt. He is then given a refund or credit note.”
The picture is taken from CCTV footage of the man entering one of the Wickes stores.
Police describe as white, aged in his late 40s and looking unclean, with some black and missing teeth.
Anyone with information can contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 713 of 13/1 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.