Police, council chiefs, and security and store staff in the Nottinghamshire town helped to bring Howard Lawrence to justice.
He was sentenced to only 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than £800 of bananas in Mansfield - the latest in a string of thefts nationwide over the past four decades.
The 56-year-old appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court after being arrested over a theft from the River Island store in Mansfield's Four Seasons Shopping Centre on February 15.
After his arrest, officers from the Mansfield Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out CCTV enquiries with the help of affected stores, security staff and Mansfield District Council.
Officers also discovered Lawrence’s car nearby containing more stolen goods, despite him refusing to tell officers the location of the vehicle.
Lawrence, of Wolverton Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to three counts of shoplifting from River Island, JD Sports and Holland & Barrett’s.
He was also disqualified from driving after he admittted driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Sergeant Colin Cockup, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Howard Lawrence has a horrendous history of offending, amounting to almost 80 convictions taking in 175 offences nationwide over the past 40 years.
“On this occasion, he picked the wrong town and thanks to the fast actions of affected businesses and agencies in Mansfield town centre, he has found himself facing prison for a substantial amount of time.”
Lawrence was arrested alongside his partner Tammy Mclean, 20, of the same address, who has been charged with three counts of shoplifting.
She has bailed to appear at Mansfield Magistrates Court at a later date.
If you carry on voting for the same old parties, more of this will happen - we warned you ages ago
Deport the creature. Are they sure 'Tammy Mclean, 20' is the 56 year old's partner, or his sex slave?
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