Medway officers track down suspects following multiple thefts

Medway officers have tracked down two men suspected of a spate of shop thefts.

On Tuesday 12 November 2024, it is reported multiple Nike fleeces were stolen from Sports Direct in Gillingham High Street. An employee who sought to intervene suffered a cut to their leg during the incident.

Kent Police was subsequently notified of three separate thefts on Friday 15 and Tuesday 19 November. Coats, jackets and other clothing items worth more than £2,200 were reportedly stolen from Footlocker in the Chatham Pentagon Centre and TK Maxx in Chatham High Street.

A further attempt to steal items from Sports Direct in Strood High Street was allegedly foiled by staff and the suspect fled to a waiting car.

Arrested

Officers completed enquiries into a vehicle thought to be connected to the incidents.

This led to a search at an address where a suspect was detained. Two wraps of cocaine were also seized during the arrest.

Harrison Franklin, 23, of Canterbury Street, Gillingham, was later charged with five counts of theft, assault and possession of a class A drug.

Second suspect

A second suspect was subsequently arrested in connection with the investigation.

Peter Cotton, 46, of Isaac Blake Place, Rochester, was later charged with three counts of theft at Hempstead Valley shopping centre. These related to clothing items worth more than £1,900 reportedly stolen from JD Sports, Marks and Spencer, plus TK Maxx between Saturday 16 and Tuesday 19 November.

He was also charged with making off without payment for fuel at a petrol station in Rochester.

Both men were remanded to Medway Magistrates' Court. Mr Franklin was conditionally bailed on Thursday 21 November to appear at the same court on 4 February 2025. Mr Cotton has a hearing on Friday 22 November.