POLICE have charged three men amid a probe into a series of early morning burglaries in Basildon.

The burglaries are believed to have involved suspects driving an SUV into shops and takeaway restaurants before taking items from the premises.

The first incident took place in the early hours of Monday, September 16 when police were alerted to a vehicle being driven into a shop in Town Square, Basildon.

Four days later on Friday, September 20, further reports came in of similar incidents across the town.

The criminal activity took place between 3am and 5am on both occasions and typically involved a vehicle, reportedly a silver SUV, being driven into shops before suspects attempted to get inside the premises.

Takeaway restaurants and shops were affected in Ballards Walk, Wrexham Road, Austen Road and Britannia Court, police have said.

Court – three men, Robert Blackmore, Ricky Wilson, and Thomas Wallace appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on SaturdayCourt – three men, Robert Blackmore, Ricky Wilson, and Thomas Wallace appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Saturday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Robert Blackmore, 35, of Butneys, Basildon, has been arrested and charged with four counts of burglary between August 10 and August 16, and one charge of theft on August 17.

Ricky Wilson, 30, of Pattiswick Square, Basildon, has been charged with three counts of burglary between August 10 and August 16.

Thomas Wallace, 36, of Middle Crockerford, Basildon, faces one charge of theft on August 17.

The three men appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning.

Commercial – one incident took place in Town Square, BasildonCommercial – one incident took place in Town Square, Basildon (Image: Google Street View)

Essex Police’s detective sergeant James McLean-Brown said: “This is clearly a significant step forward in the investigation into this series of offences, which has significantly impacted numerous businesses in our town.

“These arrests and the charges are the result of some really intensive work, most notably from Basildon CID, which included reviewing many hours of CCTV footage, making sure all forensic opportunities and ultimately identifying three people we believe to have been responsible.

“We’re acutely aware of the impact upon the businesses in this case and we’ll be working with them to ensure they continue to be supported as they move forward.”