Two Men Nabbed for Targeting Elderly in Car Park Theft Scam
Four elderly victims fell prey to a crafty car park scam in Tunbridge Wells and Pembury, leading to the arrest of two men. The crooks used a tricked-out parking payment machine to swipe credit cards right under their victims’ noses.
Shady Scam in Broad Daylight
On Thursday, September 8, 2022, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., two victims were targeted on Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells. Two more were hit in a hospital car park at Pembury. The pair of scammers approached their victims as they tried to pay, using a tampered payment machine that stole their card details.
Cops Make Swift Arrests After High-Speed Chase
Police responded quickly, and at 12:35 p.m., officers arrested two men in New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, following a police chase where the suspects failed to stop.
Criminal Charges Laid
- James Zakir, 26, of East Ham, Beckton: Charged with three counts each of fraud by false representation, theft, attempted theft, plus driving without insurance, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.
- Karim Shariff, 35, of Fothergill Close, Greater London: Charged with three counts of fraud, theft, and attempted theft.
Both men appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, September 10, and were remanded in custody. Their next hearing is set for Monday, October 10, 2022, at Maidstone Crown Court.
