Thomas Steele, from Greenock, was handed an eight-month jail term at Greenock Sheriff Court on Friday, June 6.
His sentence comes in the wake of a series of shoplifting offences committed throughout the region.
The court heard that the 44-year-old had been involved in multiple incidents targeting local businesses, prompting swift legal action.
Inspector Thompson said: “Thomas is a prolific shoplifter in the Inverclyde area, with his actions having a detrimental effect on local businesses.
“This result is welcomed and should give the local businesses the respite they deserve from his offending.
“We hope this result will reassure local businesses and their customers that we take this type of offending seriously and will do everything we can to protect them from crime.”
