A suspect has been arrested following a report of a distraction theft outside a shop in Maidstone.
At around 4:05 pm on Monday 15 June 2026, two men reportedly approached an elderly woman as she left a store near Sittingbourne Road. It is alleged that one of the men distracted the victim with conversation while the second took a purse from her handbag. The suspects then reportedly left the scene by car, travelling towards Bearsted Road.
Following initial enquiries, officers attended an address in London on Wednesday 17 June and arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of theft and fraud by false representation. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries, and an ongoing investigation is underway to identify the second suspect.
Anyone with information is urged to call the West Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/96340/26.