£25,000 Warehouse Raid Foiled by Police Helicopter
Thieves caused an estimated £25,000 damage during a brazen break-in at a warehouse in Hersden on the evening of Saturday 5 February 2022. The raiders smashed a hole through a wall, wrecked lights and CCTV cameras, and attempted to nick sacks of copper piping.
Three Caught After High-Speed Police Chase
kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police, backed by the National Police Air Service helicopter, quickly tracked down three of the five crooks involved. The trio, all with no fixed address, were arrested after dash-and-dump tactics — ditching clothing and splitting up to escape.
- Marih Ilihca, 39
- Costel Coscodaru, 25
- Mihai Florin, 19
All three have now been locked up for two years and seven months each at Canterbury Crown Court, after pleading guilty to burglary.
Quick Police Response Nabs Copper Thieves
The crime was spotted at 9.40pm by a security guard alerted by the warehouse alarm. A rapid CCTV check showed intruders inside. When police and the guard arrived, the burglars had vanished, but officers spotted a group running nearby.
The helicopter tracked them as they scattered. Coscodaru and Ilihca were caught on Island Road, while Florin was picked up in Westbere.
Police Praise Security and Warn Businesses
Detective Constable Rebecca Keeler said: “This gang caused major damage and would’ve stolen valuable items if we hadn’t stopped them.”
“I want to praise the officers who responded so fast and used the helicopter to catch these crooks starting their prison sentences.”
“This case highlights the crucial role of good CCTV and security. We urge all businesses to review their security to prevent burglaries.”
For more on how to protect your business, visit Kent Police Crime Prevention.
