Burglar Caught on CCTV Jailed After Ransacking Rochester Hair Salon
A thief caught red-handed on CCTV breaking into a Rochester hair salon has been locked up for a year—just one day after his arrest.
Two Break-Ins in One Night
Mark Dunn, 41, from Maidstone Road, Chatham, struck twice at the High Street salon on the night of 3 and 4 October. The first break-in happened at around 10:30pm on Saturday 3 October, when CCTV showed him forcing open a glass door and rifling through the till—though there was no cash inside.
Dunn wasn’t done. Seven hours later, he returned with a woman and made off with hairdryers, straighteners, and hair extensions.
Swift Police Work Leads to Arrest
Salon staff only discovered the theft when they arrived Monday morning, 5 October. Kent Police quickly reviewed CCTV footage and identified Dunn.
The very next evening, a constable spotted him on Railway Street during a routine patrol. Dunn was arrested in the early hours of 7 October, charged with two counts of burglary, and remanded in custody.
Judge Hands Down Tough Sentence
At Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 7 October 2020, Dunn pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months behind bars.
“It is exceptionally pleasing to have obtained a good result for the victims of this crime in such quick time,” said Detective Constable Dan Bister of Kent Police’s Chief Constable’s Crime Squad.
“We do not underestimate the impact offending of this nature has on businesses and will always put together the strongest possible case to ensure offenders are removed from the streets.”
Accomplice Also Charged
Jody Mayne, 44, also from Maidstone Road, Chatham, faces one count of burglary. She has been granted bail and will appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 23 December.
