Maidstone shop thieves jailed after foot pursuit near River Medway

Two prolific shop thieves have been jailed after a foot chase in Maidstone led officers to capture one of them by the River Medway.

Luke Ransome and Lee Plant stole clothing worth almost £300, after targeting town centre stores just days after Christmas.

Police were alerted at 3.50pm on Sunday 29 December 2024, after they were seen running from JD Sports carrying several stolen coats.

Ransome was pursued to a section of a towpath near Fremlin Walk and successfully detained.

Plant managed to flee but was arrested on the following day. Most of the stolen goods were recovered. 

Swift justice

Ransome, 53, of Captain's Close, Sutton Valence and Plant, 44, of West Park Road, Maidstone were both charged with theft.

They were remanded to Medway Magistrates’ Court on 31 December, and after pleading guilty were instantly jailed.

Ransome was sentenced to 31 weeks’ imprisonment and Plant received 15 weeks.

Chief Inspector Steve Kent said:

‘Ransome and Plant are repeat and prolific thieves, the likes of whom cause significant harm to retailers and who can also cause distress to staff forced to endure abuse, threats and sometimes violence, simply for doing their job. 'I do hope, however, that the response of our officers and subsequent swift justice will again demonstrate our resolute commitment to protecting businesses from the small minority of people whose actions cause a disproportionally large volume of crime.’