Florin Stanciu left a trail of destruction behind him, but he also left vital DNA evidence
A burglar who targeted charity shops in Swansea stealing hundreds of pounds in cash and stock and leaving a trail of damage behind him has been sent to jail.
Florin Stanciu smashed his way into the Salvation Army shop in St Helen’s Road in December, and then broke into the British Heart Foundation shop in The Kingsway twice in a month.
However, in two of the raids he left vital forensic evidence behind.
Stanciu, of Western Street, Sandfields, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court via videolink for sentencing.
Frank Phillips, prosecuting, said Stanciu broke into the Salvation Army shop on the night of December 1, jemmying his way into the premises through a first floor window.
He then set about a safe and a till with a hammer and screwdriver, making off with £400 in cash. However, he left a jacket - with traces of his DNA - behind.
The 32-year-old struck next at the British Heart Foundation shop in The Kingsway on the night of Boxing Day, forcing his way into the premises through a rear door - and causing £1,000-worth of damage in the process. He was then caught on CCTV trashing the shop office before stealing £280 in cash, eight mobile phones, and some silver ornaments. On this occasion he left an axe behind - and police were again able to recover his DNA.
Mr Rees said Stanciu returned to the same shop on January 30 and broke in again - on this occasion he covered the CCTV in the office with some wet tissue paper. However, he failed to realise there was also a camera in the shop itself, and he was seen stealing some £500-worth of watches, necklaces and men’s clothes.
He was arrested the following week near St Helen’s Primary School in Sandfields.
Ieuan Rees, for Stanciu, said his client had come to Britain from his native Romania in 2007 and had been an industrious worker, sometimes holding down three jobs at a time.
However, after losing his job with Cardiff Demolition he had taken to drink, his wife had thrown him out, and he had ended up living on the streets.
The barrister said Stanciu had found himself in “dire straits” over Christmas, and was ashamed of what he had done.
Judge Keith Thomas told the defendant he had clearly targeted the shops, and had gone equipped to burgle them.
He said he had caused unnecessary damage to the premises he had broken into, and must have caused upset to the volunteers who took pride in their work in the stores.
The judge sentenced Stanciu to two years in prison.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/burglar-targeted-swansea-charity-shops-12805115
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