Phone shop robbery at Sittingbourne shopping centre

Convictions following Sittingbourne phone shop robbery

According to an article published on 12 March 2026, three men have been convicted for a robbery at a phone shop located in The Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne. ITV reports that the offenders threatened staff and demanded access to a safe, stealing £50,000 worth of mobile phones and electrical devices before fleeing in a waiting vehicle.

Following the incident, workers tracked the suspects to Gillingham Park, where they were discovered hiding in bushes along with the stolen goods. Ionut Calin, Dobre Vasile-Iosif, and Valentin Ciuraru were subsequently charged with robbery. ITV reports that Calin was sentenced to two years and three months at Maidstone Crown Court on 9 March 2026. Vasile-Iosif and Ciuraru were found guilty in their absence after failing to attend court, and warrants have been issued for their arrests.

Detective Constable Scott Bittlestone noted that the store staff were subjected to a distressing experience, though the swift response of both employees and officers led to the recovery of the stolen property.

Business owners are encouraged to ensure that security systems and alarm protocols are regularly tested to protect staff and inventory.

Source : Itv