Police hunt man who stole mobile phone from a care home in Lutterworth as part of mini-crimewave

A man is being hunted by police investigating a string of mobile phone thefts across Leicestershire – including at a care home in Lutterworth.

Detectives have now released a picture and CCTV footage of the suspect they want to speak to about the mini-crimewave hitting the county.

The first crime came when a Samsung S20 SE mobile phone was stolen from a care home on Market Street, Lutterworth, at 4.30pm on Friday February 12.

Six more incidents have since happened at “retail premises” in locations across Leicestershire, said police.

Victims reported a man believed to be speaking Spanish entering their premises – and in some instances handing over a piece of paper before leaving.

They then spotted that mobile phones, which had been left within reach, had been snatched.

As well as the Lutterworth theft, the other incidents have happened in:

· Belgrave Road, Leicester, on March 10

· Evington Road, Leicester, on March 12 at about 2pm

· Belvoir Street, Leicester, on March 27 at around 1pm

· St George’s Retail Park, Leicester, on March 28

· Market Place, Kegworth, on Tuesday April 6, at around 5pm

· Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, on Wednesday April 7.

Today Det Sgt Simon Boden, of Leicestershire CID, said: “I would like to speak to the man pictured as I believe he has information that could help my investigation.

“Do you recognise him?

“Do you know who he is?

“Is that person you?

“If so, then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information can pass on information by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ and quoting reference 21*188891.

You can also call police on 101.

You can watch footage of the suspect by visiting the police website: www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2021/april/appeal-to-identify-man-following-phone-thefts-across-county/