Burglar jailed after breaking into shop in Shaftesbury
A man who broke into a shop in Shaftesbury and was seen driving a stolen vehicle has been jailed following quick work by local officers.
Between 12.18am and 1.37am on Sunday 26 October 2025, entry was gained to Central convenience store in Longmead.
A large quantity of cigarettes was stolen and significant damage was caused during the break-in, with a total cost for the stolen items and damage at around £11,000.
CCTV from the shop captured the defendant committing the act and 40-year-old local man Samuel Cooper was identified by officers.
Ten days later at around 8.30am on Wednesday 5 November 2025, Cooper noticed a car parked unattended with the keys in the ignition outside the same shop.
He drove off in the vehicle and the incident was reported to police.
A police community support officer in an unmarked car spotted the vehicle while travelling to Shaftesbury and began to follow it, informing officers of its whereabouts so they could make efforts to intercept it.
A marked police car illuminated its lights and directed Cooper to stop, but he failed to do so and drove at excessive speeds in dangerous conditions for around ten minutes.
As Cooper was a danger to other road users, officers stopped following him to prevent a collision taking place.
Later that morning, the vehicle was located in Blandford and Cooper attempted to make off on foot, but was stopped and arrested.
He did not hold a full driving licence and did not have any insurance.
Cooper pleaded guilty to burglary, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and without third party insurance, dangerous driving, making off without payment and failing to stop when required to do so by a police constable.
He was jailed at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 12 December 2025 for 18 months.
Police Constable Harry Chaplin, of Dorset Police, said: “Thanks to the quick work of one of our police community support officers, we were able to stay hot on the heels of the stolen vehicle and locate Cooper.
“He put other road users at risk by driving dangerously in a bid to evade police as he knew he had committed multiple crimes.
“I am pleased that our investigation meant that Cooper was able to be put behind bars for his offending.”
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