Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Thief found hiding behind bench after fleeing from police
Bungling burglar left balaclava at crime scene
A burglar who raided three Co-op stores in the space of four months led police on a car chase before trying to scamper away on foot.
But Daniel D’age’s attempt to escape from officers was scuppered when he was found hiding behind a garden bench. The 35-year-old from Canterbury was apprehended in Garlinge, near Ramsgate, after carrying out his third burglary. He used a duvet to conceal £10,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco as he targeted Co-op branches in Ash, Westgate, and Deal.
It was following his third burglary in Beauchamp Avenue, Deal, last August that D’age was found to be the serial thief. At each of the stores, the Gilbert Way resident used tools to smash his way into the buildings before making off with the stolen goods. Witnesses gave a description of the car D’age had left the scene in at 3am and officers found him travelling along the A256 towards Ramsgate. Refusing to stop, police pursued D’age as he raced through residential streets with parked cars on either side. He was chased as far as Garlinge, where he got out and fled on foot. D’age attempted to hide behind a garden bench but was found by officers. Arrested at the scene, he pleaded guilty to three charges of burglary, as well as theft and dangerous driving, at Canterbury Crown Court. He will now serve a one-year sentence behind bars.
In his attempts to break into the shops, D’age caused damage totalling £9,000.
He carried out his first burglary in The Street, in Ash, in April last year and left a balaclava in the shop.
He then attempted to steal from the Co-op store in Station Road, Westgate, in August but left empty-handed when he couldn’t break open the cigarette cabinet. Following his arrest, an examination of his car revealed number plates, which had been reported stolen, were taped over the real plates.
CCTV proved D’age as responsible for the burglaries in Westgate and Deal, and a balaclava containing his DNA was found at the burglary in Ash. Senior investigating officer DS Jay Robinson said: “D’age caused thousands of pounds’ worth of damage during his stealing spree and his less-thansubtle approach clearly showed little concern for the mess and upset caused.”