A burglar who allegedly broke into a property armed with a plank of wood during a daytime spree was arrested following a police chase across Gravesend.
John Steadman, 27, from Dartford, is charged with burgling, or attempting to burgle, nine properties across Thong Lane, Lower Higham Road and Old Road East across the late morning and early afternoon of Wednesday, August 11.
He reportedly had an altercation with the occupant of a property in Old Road East while armed with a plank of wood.
Police said he travelled to some of the burglaries in a Ford Fiesta, which was set alight after crashing into wheelie bins, also on Old Road East.
Following a search of Gravesend, assisted by the National Police Air Service, Steadman was identified as a suspect and detained in Donald Biggs Drive.
While in custody, he is said to have assaulted a Kent Police PCSO and caused damage to a police van.
The 27-year-old, of Maple Road, has since been charged with five counts of burglary, four counts of attempted burglary, arson, assaulting an emergency services worker, possessing an offensive weapon, criminal damage and driving without a licence or insurance.
He appeared for a remand hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court on August 13 and has been remanded in custody to attend Maidstone Crown Court on September 10.
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