Shoplifter nabbed at Gatwick after high-value John Lewis heists
Snatched at Arrival
A suspected shoplifter linked to a series of high-end thefts at John Lewis stores, including Bluewater, was caught red-handed at Gatwick Airport. Margarita Clementi, 37, from Brent, London, was arrested by Kent Police on Tuesday, 4 June 2025, just as she stepped off a flight and entered the arrivals hall.
She faces allegations of stealing designer handbags and luxury items worth over £2,000.
String of Thefts Traced
The investigation connects Clementi to three separate incidents at John Lewis Bluewater, with thefts reported on:
- 9 August 2024
- 23 April 2025
Plus an additional robbery at John Lewis Cambridge on 11 April 2025.
Police say during the Cambridge theft, two Coach handbags and a pepper mill set were also stolen.
Charged and Bailed
Clementi has been hit with three counts of theft. She’s currently bailed under strict conditions and must appear at sevenoaks/" title="Sevenoaks" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 7 July 2025.
Kent Police praised their swift action at Gatwick, which came thanks to sharp detective work and smart intelligence sharing.
Originally published by UKNIP.
