Wickford: Quick arrests after theft of tools from van
Main article content
Thanks to the quick work of our Road Crime Team, two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of tools from a van in Wickford.
On Thursday 6 March, our force control room received a call from a member of the public who reported two men with a car acting suspiciously in a shopping centre car park in Wickford. The pair were reported to be using a drill to gain access to a parked van.
Officers quickly established that the suspect car was on false plates and they were deployed to the Market Avenue area.
An extensive area search by Road Crime Team officers located the men alongside the car in Broadhurst Place, Basildon, shortly after 1pm leading to the duo’s arrest, just over an hour from the initial call. Inside the car, officers found a drill.
&w=1024&h=683&scale=both&mode=max)
Inspector Emma Patterson, Roads Policing Unit, said:
I’d like to thank the member of the public for calling us; being alert to what was happening allowed us to work quickly and make two arrests.
The victim’s van was damaged, and a number of power tools were taken.
We understand the impact on someone’s livelihood this type of crime can have.
We want to recover them and we’d ask the public to tell us if they have been offered any tools for sale cheaply.
I’d like to thank the member of the public for calling us; being alert to what was happening allowed us to work quickly and make two arrests.
The victim’s van was damaged, and a number of power tools were taken.
We understand the impact on someone’s livelihood this type of crime can have.
We want to recover them and we’d ask the public to tell us if they have been offered any tools for sale cheaply.
The car has now been recovered for forensic opportunities.
&w=1024&h=683&scale=both&mode=max)
Both men, from east London, including the 27-year-old passenger, were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and going equipped for theft. The passenger was further arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle on 31 October 2024.
The 30-year-old driver was also arrested on suspicion of no driving licence and no insurance.
The pair have been released on bail whilst we continue our enquiries.
Anyone who has information about the hereabouts of the power tools is asked to contact us and quote crime reference 42/30407/25.
Sign up to Dispatch today
We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.
Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.
Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source.
Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
&w=1024&h=180&scale=both&mode=max)
Stay Safe
For advice on how to stay safe and protect your home, yourself, your business and your vehicles from crime, please visit our crime prevention pages.
You can also find out more general information about crime, the law and staying safe on our advice and information pages.