Perfume thief dived into the River Kennet to escape arrest

Dramatic escape foiled after string of thefts to the tune of more than £1,000

A prolific perfume pilferer dived into the River Kennet in a dramatic attempt to evade capture after a string of thefts from a Newbury store.

The desperate measure proved fruitless, however, and Jaroslavas Karmazinas from Reading, was subsequently arrested and admitted a string of separate thefts of perfume from Camp Hopson and one from Debenhams.

At Newbury Magistrates Court on Thursday, the 24-year old pleaded guilty to stealing £1,165.50 worth of fragrances from Camp Hopson on three separate occasions between December and January, and also one theft of £66.50 from Debenhams in Newbury.

Speaking of the dramatic day of his arrest Peter Ryman, prosecuting, said: “It was at 11.25am on Wednesday January 13, that the security staff at Camp Hopson were informed that Mr Karmazinas had taken boxes of fragrances to the value of £475.

”In an effort to try to evade arrest he jumped into the river.”

Police were quick to catch up with him, however, and he was subsequently arrested and admitted to each of the thefts when questioned.

Defending, Stephen Collins, said that when police interviewed him he was first offered a conditional caution but that Mr Karmazinas could not afford the repayment cost, which was to be made within 28 days. This left the police no option but to chare him, said Mr Collins.

“He is a man of good character who has been in the UK for about three-and-a-half years.

“He was not working at the time and was under significant pressure to pay rent and bills. There are no drink or drugs issues here. This was pressure to pay rent and bills.

“To his credit he has now secured employment. Things are now going very, very well for him. This is an intelligent man; he speaks four languages, and he was very desperate at that time.

“He is now a benefit to society, and is paying taxes etc.”

Mr Karmazinas pleaded guilty to each of the thefts and, passing sentence, the presiding magistrate Nicola Buchanan-Dunlop said: “We understand that you were offered a conditional caution at the police station.

“In view of this, we are going to make a conditional discharge for 18 months.”

Together with the 18-month conditional discharge he was also ordered to pay £66.60 to Debenhams, £1,165.50 to Camp Hopson, a victim surcharge of £15 and a contribution towards costs of £85, totalling £1,332.10.