Men Sentenced for Organised Coffee Theft Ring in Southern Sweden
Two men sentenced for a series of coffee thefts across southern Sweden amid rising prices.
Key Points
- • Two men sentenced for stealing coffee and goods worth 230,000 SEK.
- • The thefts took place in 22 stores across multiple regions.
- • The sentences were 1.5 and 2.5 years, plus deportation to Romania.
- • The surge in coffee prices prompted a rise in thefts.
Two Romanian men have been sentenced by the Skaraborg District Court for orchestrating a series of audacious coffee thefts across southern Sweden. Their crime spree spanned multiple regions, including Västra Götaland, Värmland, and Småland, where they conducted thefts in 22 different stores. Notably, the men stole significant amounts of coffee, along with chocolate and meat, totaling a staggering 230,000 SEK in stolen goods. This wave of theft occurred against the backdrop of increasing coffee prices, which had doubled since February compared to the previous year, leading to heightened demand and desperation among thieves.
During their thefts, the men often filled shopping carts to the brim with coffee and managed to exit stores seamlessly by exploiting moments when staff were distracted. Their operations were swift, with reports indicating that they sometimes hit multiple stores within a single day.
The duo's criminal activities came to an abrupt halt in March when police apprehended them in Skara. Following their arrest, the men confessed to their crimes, suggesting their intention to work in Sweden temporarily. Subsequently, the court sentenced one man to 1.5 years in prison, while the other received a sentence of 2.5 years. In addition to their prison sentences, both men face deportation back to Romania, underlining the serious nature of their criminal enterprise.
Authorities highlighted that the sentences reflect the severity of the organized theft, which has raised alarm in the community. The court's decision aims to deter similar offenses in the future, sending a clear message against such illegal activities in the region.