Maidstone Crime Busters Nab Shoplifters and Street Abusers Fast
53 Charges, 100 Suspects in Crime Crackdown
The Victim Based Crime Team (VBCT) in Maidstone is on a roll. Between September and October 2022, they secured 53 charges linked to nearly 100 suspects. Their mission? Bring offenders to justice and protect local communities.
Bulk Booze Theft and Shoplifting Rings Busted
- Two men involved in repeated alcohol thefts from Sainsbury’s stores in Aylesford and Maidstone were hit with charges.
- Marian-Stefan Dobre, 27, faces five theft charges dating back to April.
- Marin Florina Cerasela, 26, was also charged for shoplifting in September.
Relentless Pursuit of Repeat Offenders
VBCT officers don’t hang about. They target persistent criminals to stop harm to businesses and communities. Take Lenny Devall, 45, for example. On October 19, he spat at council staff at a homeless centre in Church Street. He was arrested the next day, pleaded guilty within a week, and was locked up for 14 days with a £154 victim surcharge.
Senior Cop Praises Team’s Swift Justice
“The Victim Based Crime Team is exactly what it says on the tin. Dedicated staff focus on victims and quickly handle complex cases that really matter,”
said Chief Inspector Mark McLellan, District Commander for Maidstone.
“They recently jailed prolific shoplifter Dougie Frankham for eight months within hours of arrest.
“Our proactive work should reassure Maidstone residents that we’re fighting hard to keep businesses and neighbourhoods safe from a small but troublesome minority. We’re grateful for community support — your reports of suspicious activity help us catch criminals and protect our town.”
