Michael Tremarco sentenced for stealing £23k of shoes from lorry at M2 Medway Services
A thief who stole more than GBP20,000 worth of shoes from a lorry at a service station has been jailed. Early on April 11, a security guard at the Medway Services on the M2 saw a man loitering near a curtain-sided lorry. A short time later, he was seen to run from that vehicle to another lorry which left the scene.
[embedded content] On checking the stationary vehicle, the side was damaged and the driver, who had been asleep, confirmed there had been a theft. Police patrols rushed towards London, where they stopped the second lorry in Cadogan Terrace, Stratford.
The driver quickly moved to the passenger seat where he was arrested. Officers found 23 boxes of shoes worth almost GBP23,000. Michael Tremarco, of St Agnes Drive, Canvey Island, Essex, was later charged with theft, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
The 35-year-old pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to one year and nine months' imprisonment.
Investigating officer PC Natalie Newfield said: "This was clearly an organised crime that was executed swiftly during the hours of darkness.
"Fortunately, a security guard alerted police, and officers were able to catch up with the offender in London, when he probably thought he was safe from being arrested.
"This should serve as a warning to those who decide to travel into this county to commit crime.
You will be pursued back across the border, tracked down and ultimately brought to justice."