MAIDSTONE – A man has appeared in court after a high-value robbery at a mobile phone store in Fremlin Walk resulted in the theft of approximately £160,000 worth of stock. The incident, which triggered a rapid police response, led to the suspect being detained within an hour of the initial emergency call.
The robbery took place on the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026, when a group of men entered the premises and reportedly forced their way into the stock room. During the raid, numerous boxes containing mobile phones and tablets were seized before the group fled the scene, reportedly using a van to escape. Kent Police received the report at 10:34 am and immediately initiated an investigation to track the vehicle and the individuals involved.
Officers successfully located and arrested a suspect at 11:35 am, just over an hour after the robbery was reported. During the arrest, police managed to recover a quantity of the stolen devices. The following day, a resident of Lewisham was formally charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, driving without insurance, and the fraudulent use of a registration mark.
The accused appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court, where he was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear at Maidstone Crown Court for a subsequent hearing on Friday, February 13.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to process evidence and seek further information regarding the other individuals involved. Two additional men were arrested in connection with the incident on Saturday, January 17, and have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.