- Adam Spencer avoided jail at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday
A serial thief, who stole 17 tubes of Pringles in a string of robberies, told police that “once you get blown up, you can’t stop” after being arrested.
Adam Spencer was arrested by police in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, after officers spotted the prolific thief on Tuesday.
Under questioning, the 40-year-old thief admitted taking numerous cans of the popular crisps in one raid and cited the brand’s slogan in his confession, joking: “once you explode, you can’t stop.”
Spencer has now avoided jail after admitting two counts of robbery and three counts of robbery at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
He was sentenced to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay £200 compensation and complete a six-month drug rehabilitation programme.
Adam Spencer photographed on CCTV during one of his robberies. The serial thief, who stole 17 tubes of Pringles in a string of robberies, told police “once you go off, you can’t stop” after being arrested.
Police said the series of robberies began at Tesco on Alfreton Road on April 11 before moving to Asda on Priestsic Road six days later.
On May 2, Spencer broke into Iceland’s back door, also on Priestsic Road, before stealing meat products.
He then returned two hours later and stole more than £300 worth of stock. He returned to the store for another theft on May 19.
PC Dean Fenton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The actions of prolific thieves like Spencer can have a really negative impact on communities who don’t want their shops hit again and again.”
‘Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. These crimes harm businesses, affect people’s livelihoods and can ultimately lead to buyers having to pay more for items as prices increase as a result.
“Theft is also a very serious crime, so we were pleased to be able to link Spencer to the two cases he was involved in, as well as the shoplifting, and bring him to court.”
In a statement, the force said: “Officers from the county’s priority task team were patrolling in Sutton-in-Ashfield when they spotted Adam Spencer.
‘Realizing that Spencer was wanted for a series of robberies and shoplifting, they attempted to arrest him on the side of the road on Lammas Road.
When questioned, the 40-year-old thief admitted taking numerous cans of the popular crisps in a raid and cited the brand’s slogan in his confession, joking: “once you explode, you can’t stop” (Stock Photo)
‘After getting on his bike and trying to drive away, the 40-year-old didn’t get far before officers running behind him caught up with him.
“Spencer was recognized by deputies on Tuesday (May 28) as he was being investigated by the county’s priority task force at the time for multiple retail crimes.”
They added: ‘Two of these took place in the early hours of the same morning on May 2, when Spencer was robbing Iceland, in Priestsic Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
‘After entering through a back door at 2.40am and stealing meat products, the thief returned at around 4.20am and stole more than £300 worth of stock.
‘On either side of these two robberies, Spencer also helped himself to items from three other shops in Sutton-in-Ashfield during a series of robberies.
‘The first occurred on April 11 at Tesco, on Alfreton Road, and then the thief attacked the Asda and Iceland stores on Priestsic Road on April 17 and May 19.
“He took 17 Pringles bottles during one of the robberies, which Spencer later admitted when questioned by police, telling them “once you go off, you can’t stop.”
