War Memorial Heist Shocks Chatham
Six men have been charged after priceless World War I plaques were ripped from Christ Church in Chatham. The stolen memorials, honouring local heroes who died in the Great War, vanished on Friday, 23 May 2025.
Police Nab Thieves and Rescue Priceless Plaques
Medway police acted fast, recovering the war memorial tablets in under a week. The plaques have since been fully restored and returned to their rightful place inside the church, where they now proudly stand once more.
Six Men Charged Over Theft and Stolen Goods
- Martin Feri, 39, Bryant Street, Chatham
- Milan Duna, 34, New Road, Chatham
- Abel Murui, 27, Hallford Way, Dartford
- Manase Marin, 26, Priory Road, Dartford
- Robert Hajek, 52, Otway Street, Chatham
- Rahid Anwar, 42, Palm Drive, Rochester
On 27 November, Feri and Duna faced charges of theft and criminal damage worth over £5,000. All six men are also accused of receiving stolen goods.
Court Dates Set in War Plaque Theft Case
The accused appeared together at court on Thursday, 8 January 2026. Their next hearing will be at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, 6 February. This high-profile case brings attention to the ongoing fight against heritage crime in the UK.
