Police have arrested and subsequently bailed two men following a string of car thefts, primarily involving Ford Fiestas, across the Medway and Swale areas. The arrests came in the early hours of Thursday, June 12, after patrols intercepted a vehicle on the A21 near Orpington.
The investigation began after a Ford Fiesta was reported stolen from Rede Court Road in Rochester between Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5. During the same period, another Fiesta of the same make and model was allegedly taken from Maidstone Road, followed by a third Fiesta reportedly stolen from the same location around 11 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
The wave of thefts then extended to the Sittingbourne area, with further Fiesta disappearances reported between Monday, June 9, and Tuesday, June 10. These incidents included a car missing from a business in Teynham, another from premises in Iwade, and a personal vehicle reportedly taken from the Jubilee Street area.
Following extensive enquiries, officers stopped a car shortly after midnight on Thursday, June 12. The driver and front passenger were detained, and a search of the vehicle uncovered tools and car parts. Both individuals were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and “going equipped for stealing.” They have since been released on bail as police continue their investigation into the thefts.