Man charged with multiple offences in Watford

A man has been charged in connection with multiple offences in Watford.

Police were called on Tuesday 7 May to a report of theft of a pedal cycle from Cash Converters in Market Street which occurred on Thursday 2 May.

On Wednesday 15 May, a pedal cycle was reportedly taken from outside Lidl on the Lower High Street.

Officers conducting proactive enquiries traced a suspect through CCTV. 

Haben Ghebreamlak, aged 34, of Charter Place, Watford, was arrested and subsequently charged with: 

• Two counts of breaching a Community Protection Notice.
• Theft from a shop on 2 May 2024.
• Taking a pedal cycle without owner’s consent on 15 May 2024.
• Possession of a Class B drug.
• Handling of stolen goods (in relation to being in possession of a suspected stolen bank card). 

He was remanded and appeared before Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 May where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

Ghebreamlak was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £539 in compensation and fines.

Inspector Dan Jones from the Watford Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in Watford. I hope this sentence shows that we will continue to take action against those who commit these crimes.”

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.