Teen Burglar Caught After Posting Crime Videos Online
A bold teen thief who bragged about his break-ins on social media has been locked up. Dylan Monks, 19, from Rochester, was sentenced to one year and seven months behind bars at Maidstone Crown Court on 14 September 2020.
Spate of Break-Ins Across Medway
Monks, just 17 when he struck, admitted to six burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, and handling stolen goods. He targeted homes across Medway in the early hours, stealing keys, laptops, jewellery, and even cars.
- 5-6 February 2019: An Audi stolen from Albany Road, Rochester, after car keys were pinched from a house.
- Same night and street: Laptop nabbed during a second burglary.
- 6 February: Two homes in Seaview, Rochester, hit – cash, phones, keys stolen.
- 7-8 February: Jewellery taken from a house in Imperial Road, Gillingham.
Bragging Rights Led to Arrest
Monks’ downfall? Posting videos and photos of himself and an accomplice stealing the Audi on social media. Police spotted red gloves worn during the crimes, linking him firmly to the offences.
Officers recovered stolen goods, including the laptop, from Monks’ hideout. He was arrested on 8 February 2019.
Accomplice Also in the Frame
A 16-year-old London boy was also arrested, found with jewellery stolen in Gillingham. He faces three burglary charges, aggravated vehicle taking, and theft, with sentencing due in March 2021.
“Monks brazenly posted videos and photos of himself committing these crimes, without any care of being caught by kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police. He targeted several addresses where residents were at home sleeping and caused them considerable stress and upset. He is a prolific burglar and I hope that the victims of his crimes can rest a little easier knowing he has been jailed.”– PC Tom Slocombe
