Man in court for string of thefts from cars and shops

A Norwich man has been sentenced for a string of thefts from cars and shops in the city.

Frankie Saich, aged 39, of no fixed address was handed a two month prison sentence suspended for two years at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 13 November 2024.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £304 in compensation to three victims.

He had previously admitted to one theft from shop, assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, two theft from motor vehicles, and two counts of fraud - namely using a stolen credit/debit card.

The offences took place between 28 August and 17 September.

On 28 August he was stopped by an off-duty police officer in the city centre running out of a shop with three coats.

He was arrested but attempted to punch the officer and damaged his watch in the scuffle.

The other charged cases involved theft from cars including of debit cards which he used to pay for goods in two locations and was caught on CCTV.

He was connected to one of the thefts by fingerprints left on documents in a glove box, and to the other by the householder’s CCTV.

However, sentencing was delayed and he was released on bail to allow for further investigations under Operation Converter – the unit that investigates suspects who are believed to be responsible for a number of similar crimes.

As a result staff investigators were able to gather evidence and gain admissions for eight more offences which he carried out in August and September of this year.

These were two attempted theft from vehicles, three theft from vehicles, one of vehicle interference, and two theft from shops.

He was sentenced for the original seven charges as well as the further eight that were taken into consideration.

Prior to his sentence Saich had been issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering any vehicle or driveway without the owner’s permission.

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor of Op Converter, said: “Saich is a prolific offender whose actions have a significant impact on the community. 

"We are committed to investigating all such offenders bringing them before the courts for the sake of each victim, and work positively with our retail partners to make this happen."