Shop thief who struck more than 500 times jailed

Samad Ali struck more than 500 times

A prolific shop thief who police believe targeted supermarkets more than 500 times in six months has been jailed.

Samad Ali from Birmingham is believed to have taken over £18,000 worth of items from stores across the West Midlands region.

The 40 stores targeted by the 26-year-old were centred around Birmingham and the Black Country, but also stretched into neighbouring boroughs, Staffordshire and West Mercia.

Ali was jailed for two years at Birmingham Crown Court, convicted on 24 counts of theft and one count of dangerous driving.

West Midlands Police said Ali had asked for a further 447 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

'Prolific thief'

Police said Ali often stole from a store multiple times during his crime spree between October 2022 and April 2023.

On the last occasion, the 26-year-old was spotted by a security worker in Minworth, near Sutton Coldfield, who recognised him as a prime suspect for stealing from the supermarket previously.

He followed Ali to his car and attempted to stop him driving off.

However, Ali drove at the security worker and carried him some distance on the bonnet of his car before the man came off.

He was not seriously injured but his ordeal was witnessed by an off-duty officer.

Police built up a range of evidence which enabled them to identify Ali as being responsible for the series of offences and he was arrested at his home.

A baton was found at the address when he was detained.

PC Sohail Khan from Birmingham CID said: "Ali was a prolific thief who repeatedly took items from supermarkets across the region.

"Given the amount of offences I have absolutely no doubt he would have continued to steal had we not stopped him.

"He was not concerned about harming others and it's just fortunate the security worker was not more seriously hurt."