Copper piping, cables and power tools recovered in the early morning arrest
Two men have been charged following a spate of tool burglaries in Gillingham, with one suspect traced back to Dartford.
Police were alerted to suspicious activity just before 6.45am on Sunday, 27 April, after a man was seen attempting to open door handles at a residential property on Harrow Road, Gillingham.
Shortly afterwards, a van was spotted leaving the area. Officers believe it was involved in the theft of copper piping and power tools from two separate locations along the same road.
Suspects Traced to Dartford
Kent Police launched a swift investigation, which led them to St Johns Road in Dartford. There, they found the van parked and left unattended. Officers remained on the scene and arrested two individuals shortly after. Inside the vehicle, they reportedly recovered:
- Copper piping
- Electrical cables
- A Stihl chop saw
Charges and Court Appearance
The suspects were later identified as:
- Ionut Bohan, 20, of Jessamine Place, Dartford
- Eugen Stoian, 25, of Darnley Road, Strood
Both have been charged with two counts of burglary, handling stolen goods, and two counts of receiving stolen property. A Kent Police spokesperson confirmed: “Mr Bohan and Mr Stoian appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 29 April.”
They were both remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on 27 May.
This incident serves as a reminder of the increasing issue of tool and copper thefts plaguing communities. The rapid response by Kent Police highlights ongoing efforts to tackle property crime across the region. As the case moves to the Crown Court, residents in Gillingham and beyond will be watching closely.
