Known thief caught by Hornchurch woman after stealing charity box.

A thief known in the Hornchurch area by local shopkeepers, was caught yesterday by a shopper after stealing a charity box from the pie and mash shop.

Jade was shopping on the High Street when she popped into the pie and mash shop to chat with staff she knows there.

She told the Havering Daily: “I had been in Boots and was waiting for my prescription when I went to the pie and mash shop to chat with the staff whilst waiting. The thief, a woman known in the area apparently, came in and asked for a coffee and whilst the member of staff turned her back she took the charity box from the counter and left.

“The shop worker started to shout out, ‘She’s taken the charity box’ and people all began looking outside.

“I rushed out and went after her. She had run off down the High Street and I began asking people if anyone had seen her. A group of college students said she had gone into the coffee shop and was emptying the box.

“I made my way to the coffee shop but she had gone, I eventually found her on the street where I was able to challenge her and with the help of others. We stopped her and were able to flag down police officers who were in the area and informed them of what had happened.”

It is believed the thief had just been released from prison and was well known in the Hornchurch area for theft.

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