A NUNEATON gang which stole over £500,000 worth of vehicles has been jailed.
In total, 35 vehicles were stolen across Warwickshire, Coventry, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.
The thefts took place between December 2016 and March 2021.
The gang targeted vehicles with keyless technology.
The vehicles were parked at residential properties and businesses using electronic devices.
This allowed them to gain entry and drive away in a matter of seconds.
Some of the stolen vehicles were broken down for parts.
For others, offenders used a sophisticated process to change the identification of the vehicles.
They then sold them on to unsuspecting buyers who had no idea they were stolen.
Four men were jailed for a combined total of more than 14 years at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (Monday, January 29).
They were convicted of conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
James Griffiths and Scott Prosser were arrested after a van was spotted in convoy with a car stolen from Dordon.
Officers tracked the van to a Nuneaton industrial unit and a short time later the stolen car showed up.
Analysis of seized mobile phones led officers to James Wright who was identified as the gang’s ringleader.
He ran the operation from his Nuneaton home where he arranged for the cars to be cloned.
He then insured them and sold them to unsuspecting buyers.
Further phone analysis also led officers to Luke Griffiths who had helped to get the vehicles insured.
James Wright, 38, of Cedar Road, Nuneaton was jailed for four years and nine months after pleading guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
James Griffiths, 30, of Barton Road, Nuneaton was jailed for four years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Scott Prosser, 53, of Waverley Avenue, Nuneaton was jailed for three years after being found guilty of conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Luke Griffiths, 31, of Hillcrest Road, Nuneaton was jailed for three years and one month after pleading guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
