Five men have been jailed for a conspiracy to steal luxury vehicles across north-west England, after one of them bragged about a police chase on Snapchat.
The Theft Spree
Over 11 months, around 40 cars, vans and motorbikes were taken in keyless thefts using relay devices to bypass vehicle security systems. The vehicles were stolen from Liverpool, Southport, Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Burscough and Wrightington between January and November last year.
The stolen vehicles were hidden in remote locations or had their tracking devices removed.
Police Chase and Snapchat Bragging
A Jaguar E-Pace stolen from a Skelmersdale address in June last year was spotted three days later with cloned registration plates. Police chased the car, but the pursuit was called off due to the risk to the public when it went the wrong way around a roundabout.
The driver, James Miller, later bragged about his dangerous driving on Snapchat. Police discovered the messages after seizing his phone following his arrest. The group chat contained several messages that helped build the case.
Sentences Handed Down
The five men appeared at Preston Crown Court on July 23, where they were sentenced after pleading guilty. James Miller, 23, of Langtree, Skelmersdale, admitted supplying cannabis and ketamine and was jailed for three years and eight months. James McKeown, 23, of Snowdrop Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and handling stolen goods, and was jailed for three years and eight months. Ryan McNair, 39, of Willow Hey, Skelmersdale, was jailed for three years and two months. Thomas Fleming, 26, of Moorgate, Ormskirk, who admitted supplying cannabis, was jailed for two years and two months. Jason Miller, 24, of Inglewhite, Skelmersdale, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was jailed for 22 months.
Police Statement
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "Operation Warrior is our response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire. Tackling serious and organised crime is a force priority. It affects everyone, ruining lives, driving other crime and instilling fear in our communities."
The spokesperson added: "Lancashire Police will relentlessly pursue those involved in organised crime, disrupting and dismantling their operations. We will ensure those involved in serious and organised crime do not benefit financially from their activities by attacking their finances, making it harder to move, hide and use the proceeds of crime."
