A 60-year-old man has been nabbed after a flurry of thefts across Canterbury, Thanet, and Swale sparked outrage among local retailers.
£2,000 Stolen in Grocery Spree
kent-police/">Kent Police launched a probe following a string of shoplifting incidents at ASDA, Tesco in Ramsgate, and BP in Margate between 5 August and 26 September 2025.
The suspect made off with over £2,000 worth of food, booze, and household stuff.
Fuel Theft Adds £260 to Damage
The crook didn’t stop at the tills. He also drove off without paying for fuel at petrol stations in Canterbury, Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Margate, and Sittingbourne, racking up another £260 in losses.
Perp Arrested in Ramsgate
Officers cracked the case and arrested Joseph Russell in Richmond Road, Ramsgate on the evening of Thursday 2 October.
The Sittingbourne man faces 21 charges of theft plus two driving offences.
Russell appeared at 1 Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 4 October and is due back at Thanet Magistrates on 17 November.
