Thief Snags Over £320 in Boots Electric Shavers in Spate of Shopliftings
Between 23 October and 21 November 2023, a thief made off with electric shavers worth more than £320 from Boots the Chemist at The Pentagon Centre, Chatham—striking three separate times. During the same period, two bottles of booze worth over £100 were targeted in failed theft attempts at Asda in Gravesend and Sainsbury’s in Chatham.
Suspect Nabbed and Locked Up
Atik Jabarkhel, 32, homeless and identified as the prime suspect for all these incidents, was arrested on 21 November. The Medway Victim Based Crime Team charged him with five counts of theft. Jabarkhel pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 22 November and was immediately jailed for 14 weeks.
Other Shoplifters Also Caught and Sentenced
Jabarkhel’s stint behind bars follows the sentencing of Gabriella Tokorova, 24, who carried out seven thefts across Chatham and Gravesend. She pleaded guilty and was jailed for 56 days on 13 November. Meanwhile, other thieves received tough community behaviour orders limiting their freedom—with instant arrests if they breach conditions, ensuring swift returns to court.
Police Warn: Shoplifting Hits Small Business Hard
“Theft from shops is not a victimless crime and can seriously threaten the survival of small businesses,” said Chief Inspector Will Lay, Gravesham District Commander.
“Our officers are targeting prolific shoplifters responsible for multiple offences. Neighbourhood patrols are active in town centres and will be stepped up over the festive season across north Kent and Medway. We urge shopkeepers and staff to call us immediately if a crime is in progress or suspected, so we can catch these crooks and make sure they spend Christmas behind bars.”
