Spirit Thief Strikes Tesco Stores for Over £700 Worth of Booze
Major Spirit Heist Rocked Maidstone Tesco Branches
Between 5 May and 13 June 2021, a crafty shoplifter targeted Tesco stores in Maidstone, walking off with more than £700 worth of spirits. The suspect didn’t just steal the booze — he deliberately tampered with and removed security tags to make his getaway smoother.
Suspect Nabbed After Police Stop Car
On 6 July, police pulled over a car on Westree Road, Maidstone, and arrested the driver, 51-year-old Frank Matthews from Coxheath. He’s now facing five theft charges and three counts of criminal damage for messing with security tags at Tesco branches in Lunsford Park, Larkfield, and Farleigh Hill.
Additional Charges Hit Matthews
Matthews isn’t just up for theft. He’s also charged with possession of cannabis and driving without insurance or a valid MOT. He’s been bailed and will stand trial at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 21 July.
