High Street break-ins, man charged

I wrote an article, High Street break-ins which appeared in January reporting on the two businesses in Rye which had been broken into overnight, Ethel Loves Me and Craft Magic. Both businesses are on Rye High Street but on the night the crimes were committed very little was seen of the culprits, or heard.

In discussion this week with Jo Dorey, co-owner of Ethel Loves Me, she confirmed how helpful and supportive the local community had been following the incident but also how vigilant and informative the police had been. She had nothing but praise for the way the police had kept her informed along the way and how helpful and supportive they have been from day one.

Their vigilance and detailed enquiries have paid off as a Hastings man, 18 year old builder Reuben Nelson, has been charged with two counts of burglary and appeared at Brighton Magistrates court on February 24 where the Crown Prosecution Service authorised 17 charges. He has been remanded in custody to next appear before the court on March 24.

It appears that when he entered Ethel Loves Me on the night of the burglary, he touched a number of boxes, leaving his fingerprints at the scene. His phone was tracked which enabled the police to link his whereabouts to a number of offences in the area and which enabled them to make an arrest. Nelson pleaded guilty to two of the offences and has been charged with the following:

• two counts of burglary (business)
• three counts of attempted burglary (business)
• four counts of burglary-other than a dwelling
• aggravated theft of a motor vehicle
• perverting the course of justice
• dangerous driving
• driving without insurance
• driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
• two counts of making off without payment (fuel)
• possession of a bladed article.

The burglary charges relate to the break-ins on Rye High Street and allotments at Love Lane. The attempted burglary charges relate to attempted break-ins at two businesses in Main Street, Northiam and a third business in Cinque Ports Street, Rye.

Inspector Olivia Carroll of the Rother neighbourhood policing team said, “Some of the victims of these offences are independent shops and businesses, and the impact this type of crime has on them and the local community is significant.

“This has been a fast-moving investigation involving a number of teams, including officers from our neighbourhood policing team and criminal investigation department, and I am pleased we have managed to secure charges.

“We take reports of burglary incredibly seriously and the community in Rye can be reassured that we act on information where we can and respond accordingly. We ask people to continue reporting incidents to us, either online or by calling 101 – always dial 999 in an emergency.”

Had there been police “on the beat” in Rye that night perhaps the story would have been different, Rye police station is largely unmanned  but it appears the need for policing in Rye continues to be addressed and perhaps the long term future of Rye police station might be reconsidered.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of the court case and in a world which is full of so many serious issues at the moment, at least on a local level there is some good news to report. It’s comforting to know that the police have done what needed to be done and have been able to bring charges.

Image Credits: Nick Forman .