A MAN has been arrested and charged for stealing items worth £2,000 from Boots.

Officers from Winchester’s City Centre Team, along with the District Priority Crime Team and the Violent Crime Taskforce arrested Alexandru-Costin Radulescu as part of a day of action on July to target shoplifting in the city centre. 

The aim was to target shoplifters and violent offenders in Winchester, using a mixture of high-visibility and plain clothes patrols.

Radulescu, 34, of no fixed abode, was arrested and charged with shoplifting from Boots on the High Street.

More than £2,000 worth of items were stolen from the store and have since been recovered and returned.

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Radulescu was remanded in custody to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates Court on July 27.

Police also reported a 26-year-old man for summons in connection with a theft from Tesco on the High Street.

A 50-year-old man was also reported for summons for a theft from Boots.

PC Graham McGee, from the Violent Crime Taskforce, said: “Business owners and shop staff should not have to come to work and face harassment and criminal behaviour. We know that this type of offending also has an impact on shoppers and local residents who visit these stores.

“We will continue to work hard to make Winchester a safer and more pleasant place for residents, visitors and businesses.”