OFFICERS in Harlow have secured guilty pleas against a prolific shoplifter in Harlow.

A suspect was reportedly taking the donation boxes and tip jars from businesses between Sunday 12 April and Wednesday 15 April.

They also had a report of a theft from Malatan on 15 April.

Local officers gathered a description of the man and identified him in Harlow on the same Wednesday and found him in possession of stolen clothes, a charity box and a tip jar containing more than £150.

Now, 37-year-old Thomas McCarthy, of the Briars in Harlow, has been charged with and admitted three counts of theft and has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 23 June.

Temporary Inspector Gemma Mariner said: “These thefts have a real impact on the confidence of businesses and staff in Harlow – they’re serious offences, which is why these guilty pleas are important.

“This sends a clear message to other offenders that we will catch you and there will be no choice but admitting what you’ve done.

“Every arrest like this is working towards making Harlow town safer.”