Two ram-raiders wearing crash helmets were caught because one of them was supposed to be under house arrest and was wearing a GPS tracker when they broke into a hair salon in Dartford to steal products worth around GBP 3,000.

The robbery led to the pair being jailed at Maidstone Crown Court after it took place at the hair salon on Market Street in Dartford in the English county of Kent just before 5pm on 1st January this year.

Kent Police said in a statement on 3rd March: “A Dartford ram-raider has been jailed after a GPS tag fitted to his ankle placed him at the scene.

“Gary Parkes was one of two men who used a moped to smash through the business’ glass door, before stealing hairdryers, curlers, straighteners and other beauty products.

“An ankle tag, which was fitted after he was released from prison for a separate matter, provided the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad with irrefutable evidence of his guilt.”

The police continued: “The 32-year-old, of Frederick Place, Woolwich, admitted burglary and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 2 March 2022 to one year and 10 months’ imprisonment.

“Co-offender Liam Byrom, 25, of no fixed address, also received the 22-month sentence, having admitted the same charge.”

Kent Police said: “The offending was clearly captured on CCTV and showed the two men using a moped to smash through the front windows of the business.

“They then stole equipment and beauty products, worth up to GBP 3,000, before leaving the scene on the same vehicle.

“Although both offenders were wearing crash helmets, Parkes was soon identified as a suspect as he was wearing an electronic tag which tracked his movements.

“With the evidence assembled, detectives were able to obtain a warrant to arrest him at his home address on 13 January. He was then charged with the offence and has been held on remand since.

“Byrom was identified as a co-defendant after a review of Parkes’ phone showed the pair had been in regular contact on the day of the offence.

“Phone mast data then confirmed the two had travelled together to the scene of the offence.

“He was arrested after detectives carried out a warrant at a property in Sidcup on 20 January. Inside the address, officers uncovered the clothing Byrom wore on the date of the burglary and, like Parkes, he has been remanded in custody since.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dan Bister said: “Parkes and Byrom caused a considerable amount of disruption for the business, not just because of the items stolen but because of the damage they caused to the door.

“We will never show any tolerance for offending of this nature and will always do everything in our power to hold people like Parkes and Byrom accountable for their actions.”