The drive to protect Chatham shops from crime has continued with charges for two suspected shoplifters.
On Sunday 17 December 2023, Justin Baker entered the Asda supermarket in City Way where he stole four jars of coffee. The incident was reported to the police and, on Wednesday 3 January 2024, he was arrested in Victoria Gardens.
Baker, of High Street, Chatham was later charged by investigators from the Medway Victim Based Crime Team, with theft and breaching his criminal behaviour order. He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 4 January and pleaded guilty to the theft. Baker, aged 28, was immediately jailed for 102 days. This included time in prison for breaching a suspended sentence.
In separate incidents, Kent Police received two reports of theft at a shop in the High Street on Monday 1 January 2023 and again on the following day. On both occasions, alcohol, confectionary and other items were allegedly stolen and shop workers assaulted as they sought to intervene.
A suspect was arrested on Wednesday 3 January in Military Road by local officers. A man from Maidstone was later charged with two thefts and two counts of assault by beating. The 34-year-old was conditionally bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 20 February 2024.