A man’s coveted wedding suit was stolen in a spate of car thefts.
Aaron and Chanice Maullin of Shortlands Green, Maidstone, tied the knot last month and are so affected by the crime that they now want to move away.
The thief strikes in nearby Bellmeadow
They were shocked when they were targeted by a thief who broke into their car in Park Wood and took away the £ 250 suit plus Adidas trainers and two coats on Sunday morning
The break-in and several others in the area occurred between 5 and 7 a.m. and are being investigated by police.
Police believe the thefts around the Park Wood and Shepway properties are linked to reports of break-ins in sheds and garages, and additional officers will be patrolling the areas in question.
But Ms. Maullin said: “We are now considering whether to move. We thought we had found a perfect family home, but that was snatched from us overnight.
“We have never, never had problems. It’s not the most posh area, of course, but we’ve never had any problems. We saw the house, we loved it, and we moved in six months ago.
“We’ve never had a single problem, but now it suddenly feels like this home we built ourselves doesn’t feel safe anymore. We have a very young son there.
Aaron and Chanice Maullin tied the knot just last month, Aaron wearing the French Connection suit that has now been stolen from him. Image: Chanice Maullin
“I don’t feel like he’s safe. I feel so powerless, that’s the best way to express it. “
That same morning, mother of two Teresa Elliott from Bellmeadow was also attacked with a coat and a breakdown kit from her car.
Ringtone recordings showing the front of their property show the criminals in action.
He wears a camouflage jacket, shorts and a hood over his head, and carries an orange Sainsbury’s bag that Mrs. Maullin claims was taken out of her car and used to take the suit away.
The 34-year-old said, “It’s disgusting.
“I was also literally in the front room when it happened, which makes it even more annoying.”
Footage of a man breaking into Teresa Elliott’s car in Bellmeadow, carrying Mr Maullin’s suit in an orange Sainsbury’s bag that was also stolen from her car
None of the possessions stolen from the Maullin family’s gray Ford-Zetec estate belonged to Ms. Maullin or their 18-month-old son Oakley.
Yours is just one of several cars believed to have been attacked that morning, with Ms. Maullin suggesting that six to eight could have been hit Sunday.
A police spokesman said: “Maidstone residents are reminded to be vigilant following a recent spate of thefts from automobiles.
“The Park Wood and Shepway properties have been broken into and around since the beginning of this month.
“Target areas included Sutton Road, Shortlands Green, Bellmeadow, Senacre Lane and Essex Road.
“The crime has also been linked to incidents at Boughton Monchelsea, where police are investigating reports of break-ins in sheds and garages.
A man lifts the trunk before stealing a coat and a breakdown kit
“Overall, between the 3rd
“Additional officers will be patrolling the areas with the assistance of the Maidstone Task Force, and the police will also remind residents to lock and alert cars if possible, and also to remove valuables overnight.”
“My husband went to the car on Sunday and everything was everywhere,” said Chanice, a 21-year-old delivery consultant who married customs broker Aaron in Norwich on Thursday, July 22nd.
“He did all the paperwork for the car. He also stole one of my husband’s face masks. He got in the car and then went into the trunk.
“We thought it was unlocked and we might have forgotten to lock it first, but so many people say their car is locked so let’s think about it, we’re sure we locked it and that we’re just a little bit crazy because we don’t know how it got into the car. “
Ms. Maullin estimates that hundreds of pounds worth of goods were stolen from her family, including a Nicce coat.
“He stole £ 600 worth of stuff from my car. So I’ll say he took a good £ 1,000 or 1,500 total depending on what people have in their cars, ”she added
“I know he definitely hit four cars, but I think he probably hit between six and eight cars.
“He didn’t go out to try his luck. He obviously planned it. “
The most valuable of these possessions was undoubtedly Aaron’s suit, which was stolen shortly after the happy couple returned from their honeymoon in Scotland.
Ms. Maullin said, “It wasn’t the most expensive suit in the world – it was worth about £ 250 – but the mood was insanely high.”
Anyone with information that may aid the investigation is encouraged to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 on 46/139159/21.
You can also contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or using the online form on their website.
Read more: All the news from Maidstone
