A suspected robber from Orpington has been charged following reports of violent assaults and vehicle thefts in the Dartford area. The incidents, which occurred earlier in September, involved victims being attacked by masked assailants before their cars were stolen.
The first incident took place on the evening of Wednesday, September 4, 2024, when a motorist stopped at Dartford Heath. The victim claims that a group of men, all wearing face masks, smashed his car window, assaulted him, and then made off with his vehicle. Days later, on Sunday, September 8, a second individual reported being assaulted in a similar manner near Rochester Way, where men wearing face coverings also stole his car.
Police arrested Thomas Ripley, 28, of Star Lane, Orpington, on Friday, September 13, after seizing a stolen vehicle and a car key. Ripley was charged with two counts of robbery in connection with the incidents.
In addition to the robbery charges, Ripley faces a separate charge of attempted burglary at a property in Colt Stead, New Ash Green, which took place on August 21.
Ripley appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court the day after his arrest and was remanded into custody. He is scheduled to appear at Maidstone Crown Court for a further hearing on Friday, October 11.
The investigation into the crimes remains ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue to look into the string of violent robberies and related offences.
