AN investigation which uncovered large-scale thefts after employees at a huge parcel distribution hub stole almost £70,000 worth of waiting customers’ items has resulted in two men being jailed, the Chronicle can reveal.

Evri, based off junction 36 at Hoyland Common, lost £68,436 in the scheme which came to a head last September when the operation was disrupted by South Yorkshire Police.

It followed a probe by Evri investigators who had identified unusual behaviour with certain parcels on routes in and out of the so-called ‘mega hub’ which is Europe’s largest distribution centre.

Ilie Nicolescu, of Somerset, pleaded guilty to theft at a hearing at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court and was given a 12-month sentence.

The 23-year-old was labelled as a ‘professional criminal’ and his accomplice, 38-year-old Valentine Cocoras, from Salford, received the same sentence following his guilty plea.

Cocoras was also disqualified from driving for a year having used a vehicle during the criminal enterprise.

An Evri spokesperson told the Chronicle: “The vast majority of our 30,000-plus people are hard-working, reliable and provide an important service for their local community, but we take a zero-tolerance approach to instances of theft and will work with the police to seek prosecutions.

“In this instance, our dedicated loss prevention team proactively identified an unusual pattern of behaviour and alerted the police, resulting in the sentence.”

Two other people accused of being part of the gang - 27-year-old Florin Puscas and Mihaela Curtasu, 24 - have had warrants issued for their arrest.

Meanwhile another employee, Tinel Manolache, 44, is set to appear at the court to enter a plea having been charged with theft.

Two others believed to have also been involved are still wanted by the police.

The officer in charge of the case, Michael Brooke, added: “These thieves planned to make off with a high value of stolen goods, however our officers were alerted to the theft and colleagues at West Yorkshire Police stopped two vehicles which were carrying the goods.

“Nicolescu and Cocoras were found inside the vehicles when they were stopped and both arrested.

“Caught red-handed, the pair pleaded guilty.

“They will both spend time in jail, where I hope they reflect on their selfish actions.”