Thieves Caught After Daring Spree Across Gillingham
Liam French and Max Cuthbert pulled off a brazen crime spree in Gillingham, breaking into homes and stealing cars over just two days in July 2021.
Night of Raids Ends in High-Speed Police Chase
- On July 29, the duo broke into a property in Collet Walk, snatching car keys from a handbag before making off in the victim’s car.
- The very next morning, in the early hours of July 30, they lurked at another home on Hawbeck Road but fled when the occupant noticed torchlight and shouted.
- Less than an hour later, they struck again on Howbury Walk, stealing another handbag packed with cash, perfumes, a bank card, and more car keys — which they used to swipe yet another vehicle.
At 3:59 a.m., police spotted two stolen cars racing down Long Catlis Road in Rainham. The suspects ignored orders to stop, triggering a high-speed chase all the way to the Isle of Sheppey. They sped at 70mph through 30mph zones, endangering the public.
Officers deployed a stinger and finally forced one car to stop. French and Cuthbert were caught red-handed and arrested.
Court Sends Clear Message with Prison Sentences
Cuthbert, 20, faces charges of aggravated vehicle taking and conspiracy to burgle. French, 22, was hit with two burglary conspiracy counts, aggravated vehicle taking, failure to stop, and driving without insurance.
Both appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on February 9, 2023. French, from Chatham, was locked up for five years. Cuthbert, from Rainham, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years and one month. A third suspect awaits sentencing.
“French and Cuthbert are prolific thieves who unabashedly and repeatedly flouted the law in quick succession,” said PC Ella Bootes, the lead investigator.
“Their dangerous driving to evade arrest put other road users at risk. We applaud the court’s decision to send them to prison — proving crime doesn’t pay.”
