Three arrested in connection with £2m jewellery theft in Kent

Police say the suspects may be part of a criminal gang

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 19th Feb 2024

Three people have been arrested in connection with theft of jewellery with an estimated value of £2 million pounds in Kent.

Kent Police has said the suspects are being linked to a criminal gang believed to be targeting travelling salespersons who trade jewellery with stores across the country.

The theft is reported to have happened after the victim parked his car at a petrol garage in London Road in Wrotham on January 18th.

It is alleged a bag containing high value jewellery was stolen from the vehicle.

Police arrested a man and woman in Lancashire on February 11th following a report of suspicious behaviour involving another potential victim near Bolton. Both were then transferred into Kent Police custody.

36-year-old Edgar Ardila Ruiz and 43-year-old Monica Diaz, both of no fixed address, were each charged with conspiracy to steal, and theft from a motor vehicle. T

hey appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (February 14th) and were remanded in custody. Their next hearing is at Maidstone Crown Court on March 11th.

A third suspect, a man aged 62, was arrested on Saturday (February 17th). He has been bailed with conditions, pending further enquires, to return to a police station on May 17th.

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