A man who took a wallet someone else had dropped – then repeatedly lied to police about having it – has been found guilty of theft.
Raymond Harry, of Heol Glyndwr, Coedpoeth, received a two-year conditional discharge following the incident at Minera Tyres on Friday, March 6 this year. He was also ordered to pay the victim £50 in compensation and £85 in Crown Prosecution Service costs.
Caught hiding the evidence
When North Wales Police officers visited Harry’s home to question him about the missing wallet, he “adamantly” denied ever finding it and insisted he did not have it.
He was arrested on suspicion of theft and a Section 32 search was carried out at his property. The stolen wallet, cash and the victim’s ID were all recovered from his kitchen.
During the search, Harry tried to prevent officers from looking inside cupboards – despite them being able to see him attempting to conceal the wallet, money and ID beneath other items.
What the CCTV showed
The victim had reported dropping their wallet, which contained a “substantial amount of cash”, outside Minera Tyres. CCTV footage showed Harry – who had also been at the business – finding the wallet on the ground before driving away in his vehicle, making no attempt to hand it in to staff.
His account
When later interviewed, Harry denied the offence once more, insisting he had planned to return the wallet – despite having lied to officers about ever being in possession of it.
North Wales Police Wrexham Rural confirmed Harry was charged with theft and subsequently appeared before the court.
