Man charged and arrests made as part of investigation into series of burglaries in Hampshire and Sussex
A 19-year-old man has been charged and two other people arrested as part of a police investigation into a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries across Hampshire and West Sussex.
Hampshire Police said the investigation included incidents at homes, businesses and cycle shops across the two counties.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “We received reports that at around 3am on Monday, September 14, two men had broken into a residential address on Mill Road in Fareham and had stolen car keys from the address.
“The keys were then used to steal the occupant’s car, which was later located and recovered in Portsmouth.
"As part of our investigation, officers have arrested and charged Michael 'Mickey' Kimber, 19, of Wadham Road in Portsmouth with conspiracy to commit burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal, theft of a motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit burglary of a non-dwelling with intent to steal.
"Kimber was remanded into custody and appeared on Tuesday, October 20 at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, where he was further remanded to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on November 23.
Police said they had received reports of burglaries and attempted burglaries at several locations between August 28 and September 19.
The incidents included a burglary at All Ride Now in Midhurst, West Sussex, on August 28, and a non-dwelling burglary at Gorselands in Worthing on September 1.
Other reports involved Drayton Cycles in Waterlooville on September 7, an attempted burglary at Owen’s Cycles in Petersfield on September 8, and an attempted burglary at Solent Cycles in Fareham on September 14.
Further incidents were reported at Cycle World in Thornhill on September 15, Xtremity Sports in Park Gate on September 17, and Kingsway on Hayling Island on September 19.
Police are also investigating seven reports of thefts, burglaries and attempted burglaries received between October 1 and October 18.
The incidents were reported at Selsey Avenue in Southsea, Wickham Fisheries in The Square, Wickham, and Meon Valley Garage on Droxford Road, Wickham, on October 1.
Further reports were received from Summerleigh Walk in Fareham on October 12, and Jacklyns Lane in Alresford, Pirate Pasties in The Square, Wickham, and The Village Bakery, also in The Square, on October 18.
The Hampshire Police spokesperson said: “As part of our investigation into these incidents, a 19-year-old man from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of the following offences: theft from a motor vehicle, three counts of burglary other than dwelling – theft, burglary dwelling and theft – no violence and burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal.
“He has been bailed with conditions until January 19 whilst enquiries continue.
“Additionally, a 19-year-old woman from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
“She has been bailed with conditions until January 19 whilst enquiries continue.”