Four charged in burglary and vehicle theft investigation

Four men have been charged in our investigation into a series of burglary and vehicle thefts across parts of south Essex.

On Monday 20 January, four people were arrested in Benfleet during an early morning strike on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

The offences took place across Castle Point, Rochford and Basildon in late 2024 and early 2025.

In total, we identified more than 23 offences, including the theft of vehicles worth £500,000.

Now, four men have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary. There are:

• Vinnie Silver, 20, of Watlington Road, Benfleet
• Mitchell Burt, 19, of Wisteria Court, Basildon
• Jem Gocmen, 18, of Parish Way, Laindon
• Colby Shepherd, 19, of Villa Road, Benflee

All four appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court today, Wednesday 22 January.

Burt and Gocmen were remanded into custody whilst Silver and Shepherd were released on conditional bail.

They will next appear at Basildon Crown Court on February 21.

Earlier today a fifth man was arrested and remains in custody being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.

Chief Inspector Paul Hogben, Castle Point and Rochford district commander, said:

“These charges are a significant step forward in this investigation, which takes in more than 20 incidents reported to us by members of the public.
“Burglary and vehicle theft are among the most invasive and impactive of crimes and we’re working really hard across south Essex to tackle it and secure action against those people who we believe to be responsible.”

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