£160K Phone Heist Foiled by Quick-Thinking Cops
A bold robbery at a Maidstone phone shop ended with police snapping up a suspect just over an hour after the raid. Thieves made off with an eye-watering £160,000 worth of smartphones and tablets before the swift police response turned the tables.
Raid Rocks Fremlin Walk Phone Shop
Kent Police raced to Fremlin Walk at 10:34am on Thursday, 15 January 2026 following reports that robbers had broken into the store’s stockroom. The raiders grabbed boxes stuffed full of the latest high-value phones and tablets.
- Witnesses saw a getaway van speed away from the scene, loaded with stolen goods.
Speedy Arrest and Partial Recovery
Just over an hour later, at 11:35am, officers caught a suspect red-handed. They also recovered a stash of stolen phones during the arrest.
“Courtney Hosef, from Eastdown Park, Lewisham, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, driving without insurance, and using a fraudulent registration plate,” Kent Police confirmed.
Hosef appeared at Medway Magistrates Court and has been remanded to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on 13 February.
Investigation Continues with More Arrests
Two other men were detained on Saturday, 17 January but have since been released on bail. Police say the investigation is ongoing, with more details expected.
