Two Notorious Shoplifters Nabbed After High-Speed Chase in Maidstone
£300 Loot Sparks Dramatic River Medway Chase
Luke Ransome, 53, from Sutton Valence, and Lee Plant, 44, of Maidstone, made off with nearly £300 worth of gear from JD Sports in Maidstone town centre on Sunday, December 29, 2024. The pair fled, clutching several stolen coats, kicking off a rapid police manhunt.
Officers chased Ransome along a towpath near Fremlin Walk beside the River Medway, bringing him down in a dramatic catch. Plant slipped away but was arrested the very next day. Most of the pilfered items were retrieved during the investigation.
Swift Justice at Medway Magistrates’ Court
Both men faced theft charges and pled guilty on December 31. Ransome copped 31 weeks behind bars, while Plant was jailed for 15 weeks.
Police Crackdown on Repeat Offenders
Chief Inspector Steve Kent slammed the duo, calling them “repeat and prolific thieves” who put retail staff in danger with abuse, threats, and violence just for doing their job.
“I hope this swift justice demonstrates our commitment to protecting businesses and holding offenders accountable for their actions,” Kent said.
Local shopkeepers welcomed the sentences, relieved the police acted fast to tackle the ongoing shoplifting blight hitting the area.
