A SUSPECTED shoplifting incident in Warminster took an unexpected turn when police tracked down suspects to a McDonald’s restaurant after a quick-thinking CCTV alert.

Officers were called into action on yesterday afternoon (May 20) after Warminster Town CCTV reported a theft at Peacocks in Three Horseshoes Walk involving a group of people who had reportedly left the scene in a vehicle.

Police soon located the vehicle in the nearby B&M car park – but it was empty.

Following information gathered by officers, three people were later found and arrested inside McDonald’s on suspicion of theft.

Wiltshire Police said stolen items worth around £160 were recovered from the vehicle and returned to the store.

Two women have now been charged in connection with the incident.

Britney Barney, 25, of Ripon Road, Bournemouth, and Doreen Johnson, 51, of Viscount Walk, Poole, have both been charged with theft.

They are due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on August 11.

A youth involved in the incident has been dealt with by way of an out-of-court disposal.

Sergeant Lyndsey Smith praised the joint response, saying: “This was good partnership collaboration between Warminster Neighbourhood Policing Team and Warminster Town CCTV.”