Five suspects charged with distraction thefts in north and west Kent

Investigators have tracked down and charged multiple suspects after customers visiting banks in north and west Kent were the victims of alleged distraction thefts.

Kent Police was contacted after people who had made large withdrawals from their accounts were targeted in Chatham, Dartford, Gravesend and Sevenoaks. The incidents happened between Thursday 3 October 2024 and Monday 3 February 2025.

The victims, who were aged between 49 and 82, were engaged in conversation by people they did not know before the their cash was reportedly stolen.

Tracked down

Each incident was investigated and, on Friday 7 February, officers travelled to Hemel Hempstead where five suspects were arrested in a vehicle.

John Ruiz, Maria Carmen, Solomon Rondon, Miguel Perez and Matias Vega, all of no fixed address, were later charged with conspiracy to steal.

Mr Ruiz, 39, Ms Carmen, 49, Mr Rondon, 49, Mr Perez, 31, and Mr Vega, 31, were remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 10 February.

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