News -
Man jailed for spree of thefts following Met investigation
A prolific thief captured on CCTV stealing from a series of unsuspecting victims has been jailed following a Metropolitan Police Service investigation.
On Tuesday, 1 July at Isleworth Crown Court, Zacariah Boulares, 18 (21.02.2007) of Tennyson Road, Hounslow was jailed for 22 months for multiple thefts and an assault.
This comes as the Met cracks down on neighbourhood crime, including phone thefts in the capital, with uniform and plain clothes officers across London proactively patrolling robbery hotspots to identify, apprehend and deter potential offenders, with dedicated teams targeting repeat offenders.
Incidents of neighbourhood crime, which includes offences such as robbery, theft from a person and shoplifting, have reduced by 18.6 per cent compared to the same period last year. Over the past 15 months, the Met has also increased arrests per month by 10 per cent.
Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing in Kensington and Chelsea for the Met said: “We understand the significant impact that robbery and theft can have on victims – it's an invasive and sometimes violent crime.
“We’re committed to protecting Londoners and tackling the kind of criminality carried out by Boulares as we make the capital safer.
“His behaviour showed a blatant disregard for others and their belongings, even going as far to admit that he only targets vulnerable people. I commend the determination of officers who brought him to justice.”
On Tuesday, 18 February Boulares stole a rucksack from a blind couple - a 50-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man, dining with their young son at a restaurant in Kensington High Street.
As Boulares left the restaurant, patrolling officers in the area noticed him acting suspiciously. They gave chase, but were unable to catch Boulares, who discarded the rucksack in a bush as he fled. This was later returned to the couple by police.
Following further enquiries, Boulares was arrested at his home on Friday, 21 February, the same day as his 18th birthday. As he attempted to evade police by climbing out of the window, Boulares taunted officers and his victims, saying: “I specifically target vulnerable people".
Boulares was charged with theft on Friday, 21 February and remanded in custody.
Following a series of enquiries and careful examination of CCTV, officers linked Boulares to two separate incidents.
On Thursday, 30 January, in CCTV footage later obtained by the investigation team, Boulares and an accomplice were seen walking into the outdoor area of a busy restaurant in Kingley Street, W18. They wore their hoods up to obscure their faces.
The two then stole a handbag belonging to a 30-year-old woman sitting nearby. Officers discovered that Boulares used the bank cards in the stolen bag to purchase items, including clothing, worth £86. He also withdrew £60 and attempted to withdraw another £150.
While investigating what had taken place, officers were called to a theft and assault at another restaurant in Kensington High Street, on Saturday, 8 February. In video footage shown in court, Boulares was captured wearing the same hooded jacket, attempting to steal a phone from a 27-year-old woman. There was a struggle as the victim retrieved her phone, in which she sustained a head injury. Boulares fled the scene before officers could arrive.
Following his charge on Friday, 21 February, Bouares was charged with two more counts of theft and an assault for the offences on Thursday, 30 January and Saturday, 8 February.
He pleaded guilty to all the offences on Thursday, 29 May at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The Met’s focus on tackling these crimes will continue throughout the summer, using ward-level data and intelligence to make a difference in key areas.
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