Three off-duty police officers helped to foil an attempted theft of £20,000 worth of mobile phones.

Sussex Police said the trio were in the Tesco superstore in Jane Murray Way, Burgess Hill, on the afternoon of May 17 when they became aware of the incident.

Together with staff and members of the public, they were able to detain the three thieves to prevent them from leaving the store.

Police said a number of people reported being assaulted in the process.

The thieves were arrested and charged with attempted robbery.


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They appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 19 May, where Valetin Bocan, 23, of no fixed address, and Mario Ilie, 18, of Saint Awdrys Road, Barking, were remanded in custody.

A 16-year-old boy from Ilford, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was released on conditional bail until June 16.

The case has been sent to Lewes Crown Court for a plea and direction hearing on June 16.