Shocking video footage shows the moment a prolific shoplifter brazenly raids Boots for No7 and L’Occitane products.
Victor Leahu, 32, targeted the store, on Cheapside, in November 2024 and January 2025, stealing goods worth nearly £2,000.
Leahu has been sentenced to ten weeks in prison for five counts of theft and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) barring him from the borough for five years.
CCTV captures the thief entering the shop and making a beeline for specific higher-priced items.
He visited the same store on five separate occasions, each time snatching products off the shelves before making a swift exit.
Officers from the Proactive Acquisitive Team were out in the City when they recognised Leahu from his distinctive hand tattoo and made the arrest.
He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates this week.
Bodycam footage showed the moment Leahu was rumbled as officers removed No7 face creams from his cartoon-themed T-shirt.
Shocking video footage shows the moment a prolific shoplifter brazenly raids Boots for No7 and L’Occitane products
Victor Leahu (pictured), 32, targeted the store, on Cheapside, in November 2024 and January 2025, stealing goods worth nearly £2,000
CCTV captures the thief entering the shop and making a beeline for specific higher-priced items
Sergeant James Wood, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime team, City of London Police, said: ‘Prosecuting shoplifters is important to the City of London Police. Retail crime is not a victimless crime.
‘Leahu targeted this store, stealing expensive items in a brazen fashion, often causing distress to customers and shop workers.
‘We fully support retailers to come forward and report any crime and through the store’s CCTV, and our extensive camera network in the City, we will bring criminals to justice.’
Officers from the Proactive Acquisitive Team were out in the City when they recognised Leahu from his distinctive hand tattoo and made the arrest. Pictured: Leahu caught with face creams
He visited the same store on five separate occasions, each time snatching products off the shelves before making a swift exit
Superintendent Patrick Holdaway, of the National Business Crime Centre said: ‘This is a great reflection of the work carried out by officers, as recognised amongst all the retailers which make up the BRC especially as a number of retailers aren’t in the City.
‘The force has been at the forefront of securing Criminal Behaviour Orders, meaning prosecuted shoplifters are banned from entering the City.
‘The Retail Crime Action Plan and the work of the National Business Crime Centre and others to help implement the plan is starting to make a difference.
‘This has meant increased reporting and retailers providing digital evidence to police to aid investigations and bring offenders to justice.’
