Three Convicted Following Robbery Of Mobile Phones

Three robbers who stole thousands of pounds’ worth of mobile phones from a store in Sittingbourne have been convicted.

On Thursday 17th October 2024, Ionut Calin entered the store in The Forum Shopping Centre in the High Street with Dobre Vasile-Iosif and Valentin Ciuraru where they threatened members of staff before demanding they open the secure safe where the phones are kept.

More than £50,000 worth of mobile phones and other electrical devices were taken before all three fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.

Staff were able to track one of the stolen mobile phones to Gillingham Park, more than 11 miles away, where officers attended and found the men emerging from some bushes. The bags of phones were also located.

Calin, 23, from Milton Road, Gillingham, Vasile-Iosif, 19, from Harrow Road, London and Ciuraru, 25, from Central Park Road, London were arrested and charged with robbery.

Calin admitted to the offence at an earlier court hearing and at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday (9th March) was jailed for two years and three months.

Vasile-Iosif and Ciuraru were bailed by the court pending a trial but were found guilty in their absence after failing to attend. A warrant has been issued for their arrests.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Scott Bittlestone told SFM News: "The staff at the store were put through a terrifying ordeal but thanks to their swift actions and the coordinated response from our officers, we were able to bring Calin to justice and recover thousands of pounds’ worth of stolen goods."