Man charged over jewellery store thefts

PERTH police have charged a man with stealing from shops in the northern suburbs, including four jewellery stores, over the past two months.

Police allege that during some of the incidents the man entered retail outlets and distracted staff before grabbing items and fleeing.

Further inquiries resulted in the man being charged with alleged offences that occurred in Butler, Clarkson, Craigie, Greenwood, Gwelup, Hillarys, Innaloo, Kinross, Morley, Osborne Park and Wanneroo.

A 27-year-old man from Merriwa has been charged with 24 counts of stealing, seven counts of gaining a benefit for another by fraud and two counts of aggravated burglary and commit.

He has also been charged with burglary and commit, burglary with intent and two counts of trespass.

He is due to appear before the Joondalup Magistrates Court today.