POLICE officers at Lakeside recently arrested a 48-year-old woman on suspicion of repeated and prolific shop theft.

The suspect had visited the Nike store at Lakeside Shopping Centre twice on 12 November, stealing items worth a total of £1,264.

After returning to the store on 13 November, eagle-eyed staff immediately recognised her and alerted police, leading to her arrest.

She was charged and remanded for two counts of theft from the Nike store.

Further checks revealed she was also wanted for a separate theft dating back to April 2022, for which she was also arrested.

Nicoleta Iamandi, 48, of Redcar Road, Romford, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday, 15 November charged with theft from a shop and going equipped for theft.

She will next appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on 14 January 2026.

Essex Police issued details of the woman's arrest and court proceedings at the same time as highlighting its new fast-track shoplifting court process.

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