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A recent police operation has led to the arrest and charging of several people in connection with a series of shoplifting incidents in Chatham. The crackdown, part of an ongoing effort to combat retail crime, saw officers actively patrolling the area.
On Saturday, police in an unmarked car watched two men acting suspiciously outside a BP petrol station on Maidstone Road. One of the individuals was arrested at the scene, while the second was detained a short distance away on Elm Avenue after allegedly striking a constable in the face. A quantity of stolen meat products was seized during the arrests. Both individuals have since been charged with theft. One was also charged with assaulting an emergency worker and has been remanded to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court. The other was granted conditional bail.
In a separate incident on the same day, two more individuals were arrested in The Brook following reports of shoplifting at The Pentagon Shopping Centre. One person was charged with the theft of clothing worth over £150 from a New Look store as well as being charged with an earlier theft of cleaning products from a Sainsbury’s store. A second person was charged in connection with the Sainsbury’s incident and faces additional charges for thefts from Boots and B&M. Both have been remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear before magistrates.
Inspector Alan Mullen said:
‘We aim to respond promptly to shoplifting offences as this gives us the best opportunity to gather evidence and recover stolen property. Our officers also patrol in plain clothes and unmarked cars with the intention of spotting suspected thieves and catching them in the act. Anyone charged by our investigation team with multiple offences, or using violence in the commission of a crime, should expect to be remanded in custody for an immediate court appearance.’