An organised crime group known as the 'Johnson' gang stole over £3.67 million worth of valuables from family homes across the UK in 96 days. The gang was brought down after a police investigation, with seven members jailed collectively for 50 years and 11 months, and 11 members jailed in total.
The case was featured in tonight's episode of 999: What Happened Next on Channel 4, which aired at 9pm on September 28. The series gives viewers access to real-life criminal investigations, including first-hand accounts from detectives and victims.
Targets included a 93-year-old man and a family with a baby
The gang targeted family homes across the UK, including a 93-year-old man attacked in his bed and a family with a five-month-old baby. The episode included chilling 999 calls from victims and officers involved in the operation.
Across eight police force areas, the gang stole high-end vehicles including BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Land Rovers. They attempted to scrub forensic evidence from crime scenes using bleach and cleaning products.
How the gang was caught
The gang was eventually brought down when one member was caught advertising a stolen car just half an hour after a theft. A phone analysis revealed the true extent of the operation, which was described as "astronomical" by Michelle Peers of West Mercia Police.
The episode confirmed that Charlie Coombs, Jimmy Doran, Eric Pearce and Chance Gill were jailed for 43 years and 11 months consecutively, with one sentence running consecutively. According to West Mercia Police, following their Flare operation, 11 members were jailed earlier this year, meaning they will still be in prison.
Full list of jailed gang members
The 11 jailed members are: Charlie Coombs, Wesley Hunt, Jack Stephens, Charlie Taylor-Bates, Riley Reeve, Bradley Archer, Chance Gill, Jimmy Doran, Eric Pearce, Morgan Spiers and Shane Young.
999: What Happened Next can be streamed on Channel 4 online.
