Man pretends to be a mannequin and robs shopping mall

Udawał manekina, został zatrzymany

Źródło: KRP Warszawa I

A 22-year-old man pretended to be a mannequin standing on display at a shopping mall in Warsaw. Once the establishment had been closed, he stole jewellery from one of the stores. On another day, also after closing time, he enjoyed a square meal at a restaurant and then slid under a gate into a clothes store. After he replaced his attire with a set of brand new garments, the man felt hungry again and returned to the restaurant for another free meal.

"The 22-year-old came up with an idea on how to remain unnotice at a shopping mall after closing time. In order to do that, holding a bag in his hand, he froze in front of a shop window, pretending to be a mannequin. Feeling safe, he went 'hunting' and robbed a jewellery stand," said Robert Szumiata, a spokesperson for Warsaw inner city police.

On another occasion, also after the mall had been closed, the 22-year-old went to a closed restaurant and had a square meal. "Shortly after, taking advantage of an opportunity, he slid under a steel gate into a branded clothing store in order to replace his garments for new ones. Later on he popped once again to the same restaurant for another meal," the spokesperson said.

Caught by security

Shortly after, however, the man's luck run out. He was spotted by security officers who called the police.

"We already know that the 22-year-old is also responsible for theft and burglaries in another mall, where, also after closing time, he stole day's earnings from a few cash registers and tried to steal other items," Szumiata added.

Detained by police

Warsaw inner city police have charged the 22-year-old with burglary and theft, which carry a prison sentence up to 10 years.

"On the request of the prosecutor's office, the court has decided to place the man under temporary arrest of three months," said Szymon Banna, a spokesperson of the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw.