House of Reeves in Croydon was destroyed during the riots
An 'honest thief' who denied stealing items from House of Reeves, while stealing lead from their roof has been found guilty of burglary.
Ben Strentz was arrested after a four hour stand-off with police on the roof of the iconic Croydon furniture store on February 21.
The 23-year-old, of no fixed address, admitted the theft of lead and possessing a knife, but yesterday denied stealing a gold clock from the company's boardroom and a silver handled letter opener belonging to owner Maurice Reeves.
The dad-of-one told jurors at Croydon Crown Court he always pleaded guilty to the crimes he committed, and had pleaded not guilty to burgling the Reeves Corner shop because he had not done it.
Strentz will be sentenced on August 3.
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