Video footage has captured the moment a gang of masked raiders stole £140,000 worth of motorbikes from a warehouse on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The 12-strong gang targeted Noatum Logistics in the early hours of July 5 last year, sneaking under an open shutter door that police suspect was left half-open by an employee.
The Raid
The thieves arrived in a Nissan X-Trail, a Mercedes van, and a Vauxhall Vivaro before clambering beneath the entrance. They headed straight to boxes marked Stark Future, each containing two bikes worth a total of £20,000. Donning balaclavas and dark clothing, the raiders initially struggled to move one of the cardboard boxes, but more thieves soon crawled under the shutter, which was eventually opened completely. Seven boxes were loaded into the waiting vehicles before the looters made their getaway.
Maidstone Crown Court heard that the thieves' easy access to the warehouse and their immediate location of the high-value motorcycles suggested an inside man was involved. Prosecutor Daniel Cohen said the illicit enterprise required a significant degree of planning and organisation due to the number of vehicles and people involved.
Sentencing
Of the dozen intruders, only two were sentenced last week. Ajay Sharp, 22, and Bobby Turner, 23, were arrested after a high-speed chase of the Nissan to the Dartford Crossing, followed by a dog handler pursuit on foot. Police discovered incriminating videos on Sharp's phone, including footage recorded within Noatum Logistics itself. There was also a message demanding 'many vans and men' for the job.
Sharp, who has five convictions for 14 offences, admitted conspiracy to burgle, but his claim of being a 'middle man' was rejected. Turner, who has 25 convictions for 49 offences including theft, burglary, fraud, and shoplifting, also pleaded guilty. His claim of playing a minor role for a £3,000 payment was accepted.
The court heard that 12 of the 14 stolen bikes were recovered. Sharp was sentenced to 19 months' imprisonment, and Turner to eight months, though both were expected to be immediately released due to time already served.
