A group of people from Kent face multiple conspiracy charges after ambulances and buildings were targeted in East Kent, and surrounding counties and medical equipment were stolen.
More than 300 defibrillators along with drugs and other equipment were taken between September 2016 and August 2017 in towns including Thanet, Herne Bay, Ashford, Northfleet, Chatham and the Isle of Sheppey.
Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate who have been investigating the incidents have served eleven people with requisitions to attend Folkestone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 9 October 2019 charged with various offences in connection with the thefts.
• Three men, one aged 35 from Herne Bay, one aged 50 from Shropshire and one aged 46 from Canterbury face charges of theft, conspiracy to burgle, rob, handle stolen goods, launder the proceeds of crime and two counts of conspiracy to steal.
• A 28-year-old man from Herne Bay faces charges of conspiracy to steal, burgle and rob
• A 43-year-old man from Herne Bay faces charges of conspiracy to steal and burgle
• A 52-year-old man from Maidstone faces charges of handling stolen goods and entering into a money-laundering arrangement.
• A 30-year-old man from Hertfordshire faces a charge of conspiracy to steal.
• A 29-year-old woman from Canterbury faces a charge of handling stolen goods.
• Two women, one aged 29 from Herne Bay and the other aged 37 from Whitstable, along with a 52-year-old man from Whitstable face charges of entering into a money-laundering arrangement.
Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Specifically, ventricular fibrillation and non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia.
A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current to the heart.
Perhaps they are a charity, obtaining the items to send abroad to a poor country that can’t afford them.