The ongoing campaign to protect west Kent businesses from crime has led to charges for a suspect, following three thefts and an assault on a shop worker.
On Monday 15 May 2023, a man wearing a face mask went into Tesco in Loose Road, where it is reported a box of chilled food worth more than £50 was stolen. As he sought to leave the premises it is alleged a member of staff was assaulted.
On Friday 19 May, staff at a shop in London Road, West Malling reported the theft of meat and confectionary valued at almost £250. Two days later, Kent Police was informed products worth £80 had been stolen from W.H. Smith, at the Maidstone service station on the M20.
Officers responding to the latest incident spotted a suspicious car travelling into the county town. They followed it and arrested a man standing near the vehicle after it came to a halt in Trinity Way.
A Maidstone man was later charged with three thefts and an assault. He was also charged with failing to provide a specimen for a breath test.
The man, aged 37, appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 22 May where he was remanded to a hearing at the same court on 30 May.