Two men have been caged after being caught on camera stealing £20,000 worth of jewellery in a distraction burglary.
Bernard Casey and Patrick Cauley were videoed committing the raid.
The pair, both 34 and from Birmingham, travelled to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, to steal from Beards’ store.
READ MORE: Food left out for the homeless by Tesco gets ‘snatched’ by courier
Cauley asked to see the jewellery in a secure cabinet before distracting the worker while Casey swiped the valuables on display.
Both men then walked out of the shop and got into a nearby taxi.
Staff became aware of what had happened, and the manager of the shop alerted the police.
Officers traced the taxi firm used by the men and established they had been dropped off at Cheltenham Spa train station.
Cauley had already boarded a train which had departed for Birmingham, but Casey was stopped outside the station and detained by officers, as reported by Need To Know.
British Transport Police and West Mercia Police then stopped the train in Worcester and arrested Cauley.
A Gloucestershire police spokesperson said: “This quick thinking meant that both men were stopped before reaching their final destination and allowed an investigation to begin.
“Several items of the stolen jewellery were located; however, the whereabouts of the bangles, valued at over £8,000, remains unknown.
“CCTV enquiries showed the offence happening, and both men were subsequently charged.
“In mitigation, Cauley’s lawyer said he was incredibly ashamed of his actions and felt remorse.
“It was explained how the incorrect management of medication and overconsumption of alcohol had influenced his behaviour.
“Casey’s lawyer said he demonstrated regret and that the mismanagement of mental health conditions, along with bad influences, had impacted his lifestyle and actions on the day.”
After sentencing, investigating officer PC Euan Edwards said: “I am pleased that both Casey and Cauley have been jailed for their actions after the Judge recognised the seriousness of their offending.
“This investigation and court case is a great example of different policing teams from different forces working together to catch those responsible.
“Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime, and this investigation shows how Gloucestershire Constabulary will leave no stone unturned when it comes to investigating retail and business crime.”
Casey, from Preston Road, and Cauley, from Wellman Croft, must both serve a minimum of six months before being considered for release on licence.
They were each ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187 each.
READ MORE: Christmas shopping gets too much for one customer as they are forcibly removed from Sainsbury’s
