Suspected robbers charged after safe and weapons seized in Ashford

Two suspected robbers have been charged after a safe, believed to have been stolen, and weapons were recovered by officers in Ashford.

Kent Police was alerted to suspicious behaviour at the train station at around 5.45pm on Friday 7 August 2026. It was reported that a knife had been seen.

Patrols attended and enquiries were carried out which led officers to a shopping centre on Kimberley Way, where two men were detained.

Items recovered

Officers searching in the area recovered cash, cannabis and a safe, along with two large knives.

Shortly afterwards, a further report was made to Kent Police that a robbery had taken place in the town earlier that day. It was alleged that threats were made to a victim before a safe was stolen from a residential property in Hackfield.

The men were arrested and taken into custody.

Suspects charged

The following day, Darius Oladipo, 24, of East Street, Sittingbourne, was charged with robbery, making threats with a knife and possession of cannabis.

Keith Thomas, 28, of no fixed address, was charged with robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.

Mr Oladipo and Mr Thomas appeared before Folkestone magistrates on 10 August and were remanded in custody to Canterbury Crown Court on 7 September.