From West Mercia Police
Eleven men have been convicted of burglary offences after appearing at Worcester Crown Court.
Of the eleven, ten men pleaded guilty to their charges on Monday 5 December with one man going to court having entered a not guilty plea. Yesterday (Monday 19 December) that man was found guilty.
The convicted men were all arrested following a spate of ‘car key’ burglaries in North Worcestershire between December 2019 and 2020. In total, the investigation was into 47 reported burglaries which were carried out on homes to steal the keys to vehicles, which would then be stolen from the residence.
Javarne Sawyers who is 20 years-old from Vinnall Grove, Birmingham, the one man to plead not guilty and go to trial was found guilty on Monday 19 December on both counts of conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and will be sentenced in the New Year.
The other ten men all pleaded guilty to their charges:
• Gavarni Henry
20 years-old from […], Northfield
Conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Haydn Mccarron
19 years-old from HMP YOI Fetherstone
Conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Jordan Lewis
22 years-old from […], Frankley, Birmingham
Conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Camron Kain
18 years-old from […], Weoley Castle, Birmingham
Conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• George Syner
21 years-old from […],[Bournville], Birmingham
Conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Bailey Mcilroy
18 years-old from […], [Frankley], Birmingham
Conspiracy to commit burglary dwelling and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Adam Stanfield
29 years-old from […], Frankley, Birmingham
Conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Drew Bravington
22 years-old […], Northfield, Birmingham
Conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Ibraheem Khan
24 years-old from […], Small Heath, Birmingham
Conspiracy to steal motor vehicles
• Lewis Whitmee-Craig
32 years-old from […], Newport, Pagnell
Handling stolen goods
Detective Sergeant Kirsty Hill who was the lead investigator, said: “These men, predominately from the Birmingham area, caused misery for so many people in North Worcestershire.
“Their attitude is that if they like something you have, they will take it, often frightening and intimidating victims.
“We know perpetrators of car key burglary often target specific vehicles, based on demand and value. One of the most common methods used by thieves are to follow victims home or drive around residential areas looking for opportunities.
“If you think you are being followed or see any suspicious vehicles, take down the registration number and report it to police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.
“We would also like to remind people not to leave valuables on show in their vehicles as this can allow opportunistic thieves to strike.
“We do not take car key burglaries lightly; it will be thoroughly investigated and as you can see, perpetrators will be brought to justice”.
All the men above will be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court in January/February 2023.
We encourage people to be vigilant with their vehicle security and follow the below crime prevention measures to deter potential thieves:
- Keep your keys/fobs and valuables out of sight.
- Lock your car away safely in the garage, if possible.
- Fit a high quality alarm to your vehicle.
- Use extra security systems; immobilisers and visible security locks.
- Lock gates, where possible.
- Keep keys on your person when leaving the vehicle unattended
- Secure all doors, windows, the boot and sunroof when leaving your vehicle.
- Add additional motion sensor lighting to areas where your vehicles are parked
- Consider using signal blocking bags such as Faraday bags to store keys in.
- For houses with multiple vehicles, make it harder for the car to be taken; park the lesser valued vehicle behind the more expensive one on the driveway.
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