Jail for Birchington burglars caught with stolen car

Burglars from East London who were caught by patrols less than an hour after they stole a car from Birchington have been jailed.

Shaun Cloke and Rio Cox admitted breaking into an address on Cliff Road on 14 January 2026.

Kent Police was alerted after jewellery was stolen from the property, along with the victim’s Porsche Macan. The stolen vehicle was soon located by patrols on the A299, Thanet Way and officers required the driver to stop.  

The Porsche continued travelling erratically and at speed, pursued by patrols, and collided with a Tesla in a failed attempt to undertake.

Shortly after the collision, the stolen car came to a halt on a slip road and Cox and Cloke fled on foot. They were swiftly detained and both were charged the following day. 

The vehicle was returned to its owner, as were items of stolen jewellery recovered from the vehicle.

Cloke, 35, and Cox, 22, pleaded guilty before Canterbury Crown Court to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. Cox also admitted dangerous driving.

On Wednesday 1 April, Cloke, formerly of Lark Row in Hackney, was sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment.

Cox, formerly of Guerin Square in Bow, was jailed for a total of 24 months. His sentence took into account two burglaries he carried out in Sussex in August and December 2025.

Detective Constable Casey Prior said:

‘Cloke and Cox showed blatant contempt for the law, for the victims whose home they violated, and for every member of the public placed in danger by their reckless attempt to flee. Driving a stolen high-powered car at speed and colliding with another vehicle demonstrates the sheer level of risk they were willing to inflict on innocent people.  ‘Thanks to the decisive actions of our officers, these brazen criminals were swiftly detained. The prison sentences handed down send a clear message: criminals who think they can come into Kent, commit burglaries and tear through our roads with no regard for others should expect to be relentlessly pursued and held to account.’