On Monday 18 March 2024, neighbourhood police officers patrolling retail parks in Tonbridge responded to reports of suspicious activity at shops in Cannon Lane and stopped and searched a vehicle. Quantities of food and perfume were seized and two men were detained.
A man from Loughton, Essex, and another from Aldersbrook, Greater London, were later charged by investigators from the Tonbridge Victim Based Crime Team with the theft of multiple meat products from Food Warehouse.
The 62-year-old, was also charged with the theft of bike chains from Halfords in Cannon Lane, worth more than £140, and the theft of alcohol and food from a petrol station in Chelmsford, Essex, valued at £335, on Thursday 25 January.
The man aged 58, was further charged with two counts of theft of alcohol and food, worth a total of £490, from two petrol stations in Chelmsford, Essex on 25 January and Thursday 1 February.
Both men were conditionally bailed to a hearing at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 3 April.