Three prolific burglars were brought to justice after police discovered a discarded vape in a stolen car, linking them to a series of 36 offences across Merseyside and Cheshire. Adam Goodier, 27, Liam Evans, 18, and Nathan Evans, 23, were convicted for their roles in a string of burglaries and attempted burglaries between October 2025 and January 2026.
Investigation and Evidence
Merseyside Police launched a complex investigation after a series of burglaries in Haydock, St Helens, Widnes, and Warrington. Detectives used CCTV footage, fingerprints, and a discarded vape to link the brothers to the crimes. In one incident, fingerprints were found on a home CCTV camera at a property they had broken into. In another, they left a vape behind in a stolen Nissan Micra.
On October 2025, police received a report of two males attempting to start an Indian motorbike near Carr Mill Dam in St Helens. Officers found the motorbike with its VRM plate missing and damaged wires and key barrel. CCTV from the break-in showed Goodier and Evans entering the garage, with one switching off the camera and leaving fingerprints on the device.
On December 20, the pair entered or attempted to enter premises in Haydock, stealing items including a car and Christmas presents. Despite damaging some CCTV cameras, detectives identified them from their distinctive clothing. On January 11, a Ford Focus was stolen in Widnes and later crashed. Cheshire Police arrested Goodier, Liam Evans, and Nathan Evans nearby.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The three appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, July 20, 2026. Adam Goodier admitted conspiring to steal a motor vehicle and two counts of conspiring to commit burglary. He was sentenced to six years in prison. Liam Evans, who also pleaded guilty to theft of £38 worth of items from McColls on Fleet Lane in December 2025, received three-and-a-half years at a youth offenders institution. Nathan Evans admitted one burglary offence and theft of a motor vehicle, receiving 20 months in prison.
Police Statements
Detective Constable Charlie Harris, who led the investigation, said: "This was a complex investigation, and working with Cheshire Police we were able to establish that Adam Goodier and Liam Evans carried out the burglaries. We were able to link the pair to 36 burglaries and attempted burglaries – 13 in the St Helens area and 13 in Cheshire. Although they wore face coverings, we were able to match the distinctive clothes they wore from the CCTV footage at the homes they targeted, along with forensic and video mobile phone and data pinning them to the locations."
Detective Inspector Steven O'Neill added: "Although the offences crossed force boundaries between Merseyside and Cheshire, this wasn’t a barrier to catch those responsible. This strong relationship between neighbouring forces enabled detectives to bring Adam, Liam and Nathan before the court and brought to justice for their crimes. Being a victim of burglary can have a massive impact on the person and families affected as they have had their home invaded which is an awful experience to go through."
PC Ian Harrison, from Cheshire Police, said: "This case demonstrates the excellent working relationship between Cheshire Police and Merseyside Police, especially when it comes to cross-border offences. I hope this acts as a reminder that if you commit crime anywhere in the country, there really is nowhere to hide. Forces work together to help protect our communities from those who are intent on committing crime."
Impact and Ongoing Efforts
O'Neill highlighted that burglary offences have decreased year on year across Merseyside thanks largely to Operation Castle, an operation targeted at reducing burglaries and bringing offenders to justice. He encouraged the public to report suspected burglary and the sale of stolen goods, stating: "We’ll act on all information provided."
