A robber who threatened shop workers with a knife during a spate of incidents in Burgess Hill has been jailed.
David Tree went into Co-op stores in the town in June and July 2022. During the incidents he wore a mask or balaclava before demanding money from staff.
Staff were left shaken after the series of incidents but his vehicle was traced by officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit and he was arrested.
After an investigation, known as Operation Gainsford, was carried out by Crawley CID officers, Tree was charged.
The 31-year-old was jailed for three years and nine months by Recorder Alexander Dos Santos at Brighton Crown Court on Thursday 6 June.
Before he was sentenced last week, he admitted two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, three counts of having a knife and one count of going equipped for theft.
Tree, of Golden Hill, Burgess Hill, first robbed the Co-op store in Terracotta Lane on Sunday 19 June 2022.
A staff member reported a masked man coming into the shop and demanding money from the safe just before the store was due to close.
On Tuesday 12 July, Tree returned to the same store and left with cash via a fire exit after making further threats with a knife.
Then on Saturday 16 July, he targeted a Co-op store in Junction Road while wearing a balaclava as the store was due to open.
He showed a knife but left the scene when he was not able to gain access to the store.
Then, on Monday 25 July, he went back to the shop and was seen with the knife by staff.
Once again, Tree was not able to enter the store, and was seen leaving the area in a vehicle which was then traced by SEU officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Garman said: “David Tree carried out a short series of robberies and attempted robberies on Co-op stores in Burgess Hill.
“It caused a great deal of concern to staff members and to the wider community so we were determined to catch him.
“Our Specialist Enforcement Unit officers traced his vehicle and were able to make the arrest.
“Following our investigation, Tree had no choice but to plead guilty when confronted with all the evidence.
“I would like to thank the staff members and witnesses who supported the investigation.
“It is not acceptable for shop workers to fear for their own safety because of thefts and violence.
“This case shows our determination to catch offenders and we are pleased that a dangerous offender has been taken off our streets.”
