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Two men have been charged after four elderly victims reported theft and fraud offences in car parks in Tunbridge Wells and Pembury.
During the incidents on Thursday 8 September 2022, two victims were targeted as they paid for parking in Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, while two further victims were targeted in a hospital car park in Pembury.
All the victims reported that between 11.30am and 12.30pm two men approached them with a modified car parking payment machine which then retained their card.
Officers responded to the reports and at 12.35pm two men were arrested in New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, after failing to stop for police when requested to do so.
Following enquiries, the two men were later charged with offences.
• James Zakir, 26, of East Ham, Beckton, London, has been charged with three counts of fraud by false representation, three counts of theft, attempted theft, driving without insurance, dangerous driving and failing to stop a mechanically propelled vehicle when required to do so
• Karim Shariff, 35, of Fothergill Close, Greater London, has been charged with three counts of fraud, attempted theft and three counts of theft
Both men appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 10 September where they were remanded in custody. They are due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 10 October 2022.