Thief targeted lorry load of shoes at Medway Services

A thief who stole shoes worth more than £20,000 from a lorry at a Gillingham service station has been jailed.

In the early hours of 11 April 2025, a security guard at the Medway Services on the M2 saw a person loitering near a curtain-sided lorry.

A short time later a man was seen to run from the targeted vehicle to another lorry which left the scene. On checking the stationary vehicle the side appeared to be damaged and the driver who had been asleep confirmed there had been a theft.

Tracked down

The police were alerted, and patrols were deployed towards London where they tracked down and stopped the lorry in Cadogan Terrace, Stratford.

The driver quickly moved to the passenger seat where he was arrested. The officers located 23 boxes of stolen shoes worth almost £23,000.

Michael Tremarco, of St Agnes Drive, Canvey Island, Essex, was later charged with theft, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Sentenced

The 35 year old pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to one year and nine months' imprisonment on Wednesday 27 May.

Investigating officer, PC Natalie Newfield, said:

‘This was clearly an organised crime that was executed swiftly during the hours of darkness. Fortunately, a security guard alerted Kent Police, and officers were able to catch up with the offender in London, when he probably thought he was safe from being arrested.
‘This should serve as a warning to those who decide to travel into this county to commit crime. You will be pursued back across the border, tracked down and ultimately brought to justice.’