Van Thief Caught Red-Handed Thanks to Tiny Tracker
Kent Police nabbed Ronnie Mead just 20 minutes after he swiped a delivery van, thanks to a clever tracking device. Officers found the 33-year-old surrounded by half-opened parcels when they arrested him.
Mead’s Mugging and Van Heist Unravelled
The Hunton Gardens man pleaded guilty to robbery, taking a motor vehicle without consent, and cannabis possession at canterbury/" title="Canterbury" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Canterbury Crown Court on June 14, 2022.
Mead claimed he stumbled upon the stolen packages after his arrest on April 14, but he couldn’t explain why he had the van driver’s wallet. The driver himself identified Mead as the thief.
Blagged Delivery Driver Overpowered Then Van Snatched
At just before 1pm on April 14, the victim was delivering on Chaucer Road when Mead suddenly attacked, grabbing him by the collar while shouting and swearing. Mead then nabbed the van keys, jumped in, and drove off despite the driver’s desperate attempts to stop him.
Kent Police Praise Tracking Tech That Spelled Mead’s Doom
“Ronnie Mead is an opportunistic criminal who thinks nothing of taking things that do not belong to him,” said Chief Inspector Mark Hedges, Canterbury’s District Commander.
“Luckily for us, he had no idea the van had a tracker. It led us straight to him, just yards from the stolen vehicle, surrounded by packages. Even he had to admit guilt, and now he faces significant jail time.”
