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Medway and Dartford officers have continued to robustly tackle retail crime with multiple arrests in one day.
On Friday 31 January 2025, neighbourhood officers in Chatham High Street received a report from shopworkers at Iceland that several steaks had been stolen.
CCTV footage was examined and a short time later two people were arrested in Church Street. Constables also seized some meat products.
Terri Aldridge, 37, of East Street, Chatham and Kieran Humphreys, of Ernest Road, Chatham were later charged with two counts of theft. They were remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 1 February.
In a further arrest, Adam Roberts was detained after stealing multiple jars of coffee from the Co-op in Temple Hill Square, Dartford.
The 37 year old was later charged with theft and breaching a criminal behaviour order that forbade him from entering the store.
Roberts, of West Hill, Dartford pleaded guilty at his first hearing before magistrates on Saturday 1 February. He was immediately jailed for four weeks.
Officers investigating two further thefts arrested another suspect on Friday 31 January. Their enquiries related to allegations that food had been stolen from Asda in Rochester High Street on Friday 3 January and at a Gillingham charity shop on Sunday 9 January.
Peter Cotton, of Isaac Blake Place, Rochester was later charged with two thefts. The 46 year old was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 3 February.
Also, on Friday 31 January, patrols were called to Tesco in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham. Ashley Webb had been asked to leave the store and then spat in the face of a shop worker. Webb, 47, was arrested shortly afterwards at his home address in James Street, Gillingham.
He was later charged with assault. Webb pleaded guilty at his first court appearance on Saturday 1 February and was sentenced to 100 hours' unpaid work. He was also ordered to compensate the victim and pay court costs.
Chief Inspector Garry Cook said:
‘Theft from shops is not a victimless crime and causes price rises for law abiding members of the public whilst distressing employees at the businesses that are targeted.
‘My position on shoplifting is clear. Where there is evidence to arrest a suspect we will track them down and bring them to justice. Where appropriate, those detained will be held in custody until they can answer for their actions at the first available court hearing.’