A man from Berkshire has been jailed for six months after admitting theft and weapon offences in Maidenhead, Thames Valley Police have said.
Shane Lee Nicholls, 44, of Lesters Road in Cookham, was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Nicholls pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, possession of a knife in a public place, and burglary other than dwelling.
Police were called on Wednesday after a report that items including a laptop, mouse and headphones had been stolen from a vehicle overnight.
Sergeant Luke Jenkins and Inspector Natasha Gidda, who were on foot patrol in Maidenhead town centre, carried out a stop-and-search on two men. Officers found a carrier bag containing several electronic items, along with business cards belonging to the victim.
A call to the owner enabled officers to confirm the property had been stolen, and the items were returned.
Nicholls was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and carrying a bladed article. He was also wanted for questioning over a burglary in October last year, when CCTV captured a man entering the rear of Sainsbury’s and stealing food.
He was charged and remanded the same day.
Sgt Jenkins said the incident demonstrated “the successful use of stop and search and foot patrolling by neighbourhood police”.
“We were able to promptly reunite the victim with his lost items that he needed for work,” he added.
He encouraged residents to report all thefts from vehicles “no matter how small”, saying this helps officers identify trends and track offenders.
