Three men have been arrested within two hours of a theft.

At around 11.20am on Tuesday, March 5, a woman was shopping at Sainsbury’s in Angel Lane, Tonbridge, and realised when she went to pay her purse was missing from her handbag.

It is alleged bank cards belonging to the victim were then used illegally to buy cigarettes, alcohol and other items at several petrol stations and shops.

Police were alerted and officers immediately examined CCTV footage.

Their enquiries led them to stop a vehicle in London Road, Tunbridge Wells, and at 1.20pm three suspects were arrested.

Ion-adrian Dobrin, 52, from Coventry, was charged with theft and four counts of fraud.

He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, March 7) and after pleading guilty was passed into the custody of the Home Office, under an immigration detention order.

Two men from Wickford in Essex, aged 53 and 54, were bailed with conditions not to enter Kent pending while inquiries continue.