Woman who stole in total over £100k from multiple East of England stores jailed

A woman who stole more than £116,000 from Boots stores across the East of England has been jailed.

25 year-old Gabriela Stan, of Longbridge Road, Dagenham, was charged with 14 offences by the Metropolitan Police on December 31 2025, with one additional offence identified as taking place in the Norfolk force area.

In total she was sentenced for 50 thefts, 14 charged and 36 taken into consideration (TICd) across the Met, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Thames Valley, Surrey, Essex police areas.

She appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday 29 April 2026 where she was jailed for 24 months and banned from every Boots store in England and Wales for five years.

Duncan Etchells, staff supervisor for Op Converter said: “This has been a lengthy and painstaking investigation by Norfolk Constabulary’s dedicated TIC unit Op Converter which will hopefully reassure the public and retailers that we will investigate these prolific cross-border organised crime groups.

“We have the experience, skills, and knowledge as well as the patience to put these offenders before a judge whenever we can to ensure they are sentenced for the totality of their offending.

“Our message to such offenders is clear; If you come and offend like this in Norfolk be prepared to be investigated and prosecuted by dedicated investigators who will come after you wherever you are.”