Chelsea Serial Thief Fined £350 for Stealing Langoustines and Luxury Flowers
A woman who stole hundreds of pounds worth of shellfish from outside a high-end London restaurant has been fined just £350. Ekaterina Frolova, 46, was sentenced last month in connection with a theft at exclusive Elystan Street in Chelsea.
The Langoustine Heist at Elystan Street
A manhunt was launched last November after CCTV footage emerged of a delivery being taken from outside the Michelin-starred Elystan Street in Chelsea. The mini-lobster-like seafood had been intended for a bisque with chilli, spring onions, lemon zest and garlic, selling for £39 per portion.
Sarah Rhone, operations director at the high-end restaurant, previously told Metro: ‘We have been operating since 2016, and this is the first time we’ve had produce stolen.’
Additional Thefts from Florist and Pharmacy
Days later, more footage was released showing a woman taking items from Petals at Bibendum, located just a short walk from the restaurant. Police said yesterday that Frolova, of Lucan Place, was arrested in December over the incidents.
She pleaded guilty to theft and burglary charges relating to both the restaurant and the florist in December last year. She also admitted stealing hundreds of pounds worth of vitamins and a pair of nail clippers from nearby Zen Pharmacy.
The serial thief was remanded in custody and appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on January 5, where she was fined a total of £350.
Business Impact and Preventative Measures
Max Cansdale, who has co-owned Petals at Bibendum for five years, said the impact of theft had hit his business hard. He said: ‘All that can be done for small businesses that face this shoplifting epidemic is to put preventative measures in place.’
Cansdale detailed the security measures now implemented:
- All products are secured with fishing wire
- A security guard has been hired
- The entire shop is packed away at night
- Team members work additional hours for opening and closing procedures
He added: ‘It’s a lot more work for the team, we have team members that come in half an hour earlier to open up, they work later so that they can pack away.’
Restaurant Manager's Perspective
Elystan Street general manager Becky McLaughlin told the BBC shortly after the theft: ‘It’s just somebody that is clearly trying their luck and doesn’t really realise the impact something small to them has on an independent restaurant.’
‘There is a massive domino effect and it’s a cost that now just has to be swallowed.’
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The Metropolitan Police confirmed: ‘Ekaterina Frolova appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 15, 2025, where she pleaded guilty to theft and burglary.’
‘She was remanded in custody and sentenced at the same court on Monday, 5 January, where she was given a total fine of £350.00.’
The case highlights the challenges faced by small businesses in London's affluent Chelsea district, where opportunistic thefts can have significant financial consequences despite relatively minor penalties for offenders.
