Four men charged following series of shop thefts across Formby

Four men have been charged following a number of reported thefts from shops across Formby over recent weeks.

The incidents involved stores on Queens Road, Cross Green and Chapel Lane, with Merseyside Police confirming that four men have now been dealt with by the courts or charged in connection with separate offences.

On Thursday 2 July, police received reports that a man had entered the Co-op on Queens Road on three separate occasions and stolen a number of items, with the value of the goods reported to be between £60 and £110.

A further incident was reported at the One Stop store on Cross Green on Tuesday 25 August, when a man allegedly entered the shop, took several items and left without paying.

James Shawcross, 37, of Kent Avenue in Litherland, was later arrested and charged with theft from a shop and two counts of burglary. He was remanded in custody following an appearance at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 26 August.

In a separate incident on Monday 13 July, police received a report that a man had entered the Co-op on Queens Road, taken a bottle of red wine and left the store.

Lee Colton, 37, of Regent Road in Bootle, was charged with burglary and robbery. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 14 September.

Police also received a report on 1 August that a man had entered the One Stop store on Cross Green and stolen several jars of coffee.

The same man was also reported to have taken several items from the Co-op on Queens Road and Iceland on Chapel Lane on Friday 7 August.

Darren Jones, 52, of Knowsley Road in Bootle, was charged with theft from a shop. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Sefton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 1 December.

Most recently, on Saturday 29 August, police received a report that a man had entered the Co-op on Queens Road and taken eight jars of coffee, placing them inside a bag before leaving the shop.

Officers searched the area and located a man on Sefton Road in Formby. Police said he attempted to run from officers before being detained. The jars of coffee and other items were recovered from his bag.

Terence Riley, 42, of no fixed address, was charged with theft from a shop. He was found guilty of the offence and fined on Monday 31 August.

Merseyside Police said officers remain committed to supporting local communities and retailers by taking firm action against offenders and working to prevent shop theft.

Anyone wishing to report a crime or provide information can contact Merseyside Police online or by calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.