Burglar Busted on CCTV by Sharp-eyed Maidstone PCSO
A notorious Maidstone burglar has finally been locked up after a local PCSO spotted him on town centre CCTV. Charles Traverso was caught red-handed breaking into a restaurant on Medway Street, stealing alcohol and about £700 in cash.
How Traverso Broke In and Made Off
The early morning raid happened just before 8am on 11 January 2020. Traverso used a wooden plank to pry a metal bar from a window, then hauled two bin liners stuffed with stolen goods into a shopping trolley. He wheeled it straight back to his flat at Brenchley House, Week Street.
Clever Clue Leads to Arrest
Tricky to miss, the CCTV footage showed the suspect repeatedly pulling up the waistband of his trousers—a known quirk of Traverso, who had a rap sheet full of burglaries targeting businesses. He was nabbed on 16 January and charged with burglary.
Additional Charges and Jail Sentence
At Maidstone Crown Court, prosecutors piled on another charge linking Traverso to a 13 January break-in at a takeaway on Sandling Road. The 44-year-old admitted both crimes and was sentenced to 18 months behind bars on 18 June.
Inspector Mark Hedges, Maidstone Community Safety Unit: “Local knowledge is key to catching known offenders like Traverso. That’s why our PCSOs are vital to the community. He’s a repeat offender who shows no regard for hardworking shop owners left to cover the cost of his crimes. He deserves custodial sentence.”
