Radu Botezatu, Marian Croitor and Constantin Marin, of Borehamwood, sentenced and fined for TK Maxx shoplifting

A shoplifting gang which targeted five TK Maxx stores across East Anglia have been sentenced and fined.

Radu Botezatu, 24, of Stapleton Road, Borehamwood and Marian Croitoru, 39, and Constantin Marin, 36, both of Sullivan Way, Borehamwood, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on Monday.

The trio were apprehended by police in Great Yarmouth on November 4 – having already targeted stores in Braintree, Ipswich, Lowestoft, and Chelmsford the same day – after being recognised by store security.

They had stolen high-end designer clothing from the previous shops before heading to the Gapton Hall Retail Park outlet.

The men were seen entering the store separately at around 2pm and leaving wearing different coats.

They were all arrested at the scene, the Audi they were travelling in seized, and they were taken to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Each was charged with one count of stealing from a shop, which they later admitted.

While on bail, the gang engaged with the Norfolk Police’s Operation Converter unit, which investigates when suspects are believed to be responsbile for further crimes.

Botzeatu asked for 12 further incidents to be taken into account – all at TK Maxx stores between April and November – which cost the chain more than £7,800.

Croiteru admitted to 14 other offences, having taken stock worth more than £9,100.

Marin admitted six other offences, comprising the four on 4 November and two others in Thurrock in October; the value of stock stolen by him was calculated at more than £2,000.

In all the incidents the gang were caught on CCTV, either trying to conceal what they had stolen or wearing it.

In court, Botzeatu was handed a 17-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and fined £3,238,92 in compensation, costs and victim surcharges.

Croiteru was given the same sentence alongside a similar fine of £3880,92.

The two were also ordered to wear an electronic tag.

Marin was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and fined £720.

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor for Operation Converter, said: “Shoplifting is extremely unfair and can be frightening for those working in shops and it is a crime that we take very seriously here.

“This was all in a day’s work for them, identifying what they wanted and being pretty audacious in the taking of it.”

Mr Etchells thanked TK Maxx for its investigative work and cooperation.