A prolific shoplifter stole around £300,000 worth of perfumes and cosmetics from Boots stores across London in a six-month crime spree. Bianca Mirica, a Romanian mother of three, carried out 30 thefts between December 2023 and May 2024 before finally being caught.
Southwark Crown Court heard how the 20-year-old entered Boots in Hornchurch, East London, on March 7, 2024, while wearing a long, flowing skirt with hidden pockets. She used a “spotter” to look out for and distract security guards before stealing £16,687 worth of items from expensive brands, including Chanel and Dior. Mirica also helped herself to make-up and toiletries worth £7,729.93 from the store in Camden.
According to the Daily Mail, May last year was her most prolific month as she stole from 11 Boots outlets. Mirica took £335.95 worth of items from the store on The Strand, £3,200 from Haringey, £627.93 from Baker Street, £2,000 from Islington High Street, and over £4,000 worth from the site on Regent Street.
Mirica, who moved to the UK around five years ago and has three previous convictions, has now been jailed for 32 months. During her court appearance, the 20-year-old claimed everything she stole was for personal use.
She is understood to have operated with around four or five other girls, one of whom is just 16. The judge told Mirica: “Your expressions of remorse should be treated with caution and may not be considered sincere.
“I do not doubt you are sorry you are now in custody. But I very much doubt you are sorry you committed these offences.”
Mirica lived in a rented mid-terraced house in Haringey, London. One neighbour, James Mulqueen, said he often saw her walking around in expensive clothing, such as £300 Dsquared2 jeans
The 52-year-old said: “Mirica walked around with such arrogance in designer gear. I am sure she was stealing it all.”
He added, regarding her home: “Different men would arrive in flash cars, day and night. They were a nightmare to live next to. They had no respect for anything or anyone.”
Another resident in the area added: “They were horrible, especially her. They used to shout abuse if I asked them to be quiet.”