AN OPPORTUNIST thief who made motorists’ lives a misery in Coventry has been convicted of a string of thefts from vehicles after police caught him red-handed.
Oliver Jarrett struck more than a dozen times between May 20 and July 21 in Eastern Green, Tile Hill, Allesley and Coundon.
Officers from Coventry Police launched an investigation after hearing how a man was seen prowling the area, trying vehicle door handles and stealing from ones left insecure.
Detectives seized CCTV from doorbell cameras and shops and identified the 31-year-old as the suspect and when they arrested him on July 21, they found him in possession of stolen bank cards taken from one unlocked vehicle.
One of the stolen cards had been used at a petrol station shop in Coundon.
Jarrett, of no fixed address, was charged with 14 counts of theft and vehicle interference and was convicted at Coventry Magistrates Court.
He was given a community order, will be electronically tagged for 12 weeks during which time he will be bound by a 7pm to 7am curfew.
He has also been referred to a drug rehab programme.
Police said they knew the offences were causing considerable concern and inconvenience in the area and hoped the conviction would offer residents some reassurance.
