A Romanian couple who stole £100,000 of goods from the Amazon distribution centre where they worked were caught after the boyfriend reported his partner to the police because she broke up with him.
Maria Stricescu, 51, and Lucian Leonte, 37, worked at the depot in Kegworth, near East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire and were jailed for more than five years between them after admitting to their involvement in stealing a range of items.
These included laptops, iPads, headphones, perfumes, clothing, mobile phones, beauty products and other electrical items to the value of almost £50,000.
Leicester Crown Court, however, heard that their crimes totalled more than double that.
Maria Stricescu (left), 51, and Lucian Leonte (right), 37, were jailed for more than five years between them after admitting to their involvement in stealing a range of items
The lucrative scam was exposed earlier this year, when Derbyshire Police were called to an unrelated incident at the couple’s home in Derby.
The spree had earned the couple about £10,000 a month from the cut-price sale of the stolen goods, LeicestershireLive reported last week.
But when Stricescu jilted Leonte, he carried out his threat to report her to the police.
He phoned the force on January 29 and officers arrived just as Stricescu was about to jump in her Audi and drive to Romania.
Police then seized £50,000 worth of stolen Amazon stock from their home and cars.
Due to the location of the alleged theft offences, Derbyshire Police transferred the investigation to Leicestershire Police.
A spokesperson for the Leicestershire force said: ‘Following extensive inquiries, Maria Stricescu, 51, and Lucian Leonte, 37, both formerly of Sherwood Avenue, Borrowash, Derby, were charged with a number offences relating to their part in the thefts.
‘Both appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (April 16) and were sentenced after pleading guilty to the following offences at a hearing last month.’
They added: ‘Stricescu was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for fraud by abuse of position, removing criminal property from England and converting criminal property.
‘Leonte was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for fraud by abuse of position and removing criminal property from England.’
The couple worked at the depot in Kegworth, near East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire
DC Gavin Chantrill, the chief investigating officer, said the pair had abused their positions working for the American e-commerce giant.
‘Both defendants over a period of time abused their position at Amazon for their own financial gain,’ he said. ‘Neither took responsibility for their actions during the investigation and blamed each other for their actions.
‘We are pleased they have now pleaded guilty to their part in the offences.’
He added: ‘Stricescu was a picker at the distribution centre in Kegworth and had been stealing the items discreetly since July 2019 and was able to manipulate the system to look like the items had been delivered to customers.
‘Leonte was employed as a packer and would then sell the items on and transfer large sums of money to bank accounts in Romania.
‘After a falling out between the couple Leonte reported the offences to the police. Following extensive enquiries by officers who worked around the clock we were able to charge the defendants within hours of their arrest.
‘The fact they both pleaded guilty to their parts in the crimes is a testament to the investigation team’s hard work and the evidence they collated.’
