Hapless coat thief caught by police carrying stolen TK Maxx goods down street in Walker

A bungling thief was caught after police spotted her running down a street carrying £500-worth of stolen coats.

Victoria Cronin and her co-accused were detained on a road in Walker, just moments after they had shoplifted from a nearby TK Maxx store in Byker. A court heard that Cronin attempted to throw the goods into a garden but did so in full view of the officers, who quickly located them.

Because the jackets had TK Maxx labels, the constables contacted the Byker branch of the shop, where staff confirmed they had been stolen earlier that morning. Cronin and her female co-accused were arrested and admitted what they'd done in interview.

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Cronin, of Studdon Walk, in Kenton, was due at Newcastle Magistrates' Court last week but failed to show and a warrant was issued for his arrest. She was detained three days later and appeared in custody at the same court on Tuesday to plead guilty to one count of shop theft.

Keith Laidlaw, prosecuting, said two officers were on a street in Walker at around 10.15am on February 23 this year when they spotted Cronin and her pal. Mr Laidlaw added: "They were carrying bundles of new coats, so the officers drove towards them.

"One of the females, this defendant, discarded her items into the nearest garden. The items were all new and had TK Maxx labels. One of the officers makes enquiries with TK Maxx in Byker. Staff check and report that several coats had been stolen earlier that day."

Peter Doherty, defending, said that Cronin had no past convictions and had been in custody for nearly 24 hours. He said: "The postal requisition for her to come to court went to her mother's address and they haven't been speaking. It came as some surprise when she was arrested on a warrant yesterday afternoon."

Cronin was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

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