FOUR people have been charged with several offences after our officers arrived at an incident at a Harlow supermarket within minutes being called.

Police were called to reports of a theft by four suspects at the Tesco supermarket in Church Langley Way, Harlow, at about 2.40pm on Wednesday 11 October.

Local officers arrived at the scene within 15 minutes to speak to staff at the store while officers in our Roads Policing Unit followed a car whose occupants were believed to be suspects.

The car was involved in a collision and four people were arrested less than 45 minutes after officers were called.

Four people have now been charged:

Gabriel Catalan, 19, of Greenview Court, Greenford, Greater London, was charged with theft and criminal damage;

Gruisor Zanfir, 27, of Greenview Court, Greenford, Greater London, was charged with theft and criminal damage;

Florin Raducan, 18, of Alfred Gardens, Barking, was charged with theft and criminal damage, assault, dangerous driving, failing to stop and driving without a licence; and

A 16-year-old was charged with theft and criminal damage.

The four were also charged with offences relating to an incident of theft and criminal damage earlier that day in Southend.

The three men appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 13 October and have been remanded in custody. They will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court at a later date.

The 16-year-old has been released on bail.

Harlow district Commander Paul Austin said: “Our officers’ quick work at the scene and the support of the Roads Policing Unit means we were able to arrest these suspects quickly.

“This means we can investigate faster, gather evidence quicker, and make the case for charges to the Crown Prosecution Service more effectively.”