Car Thieves Nabbed in Major £3.7M Crackdown
Four crooks from a notorious gang have been locked up for a combined 12.5 years at Guildford Crown Court for stealing 53 luxury cars worth over £3.7 million. They admitted conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to handle criminal property.
Who Got What?
- Perry Lovejoy, 29, Horley – 3 years
- Luke Jackson, 28, croydon/" title="Croydon" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Croydon – 3.5 years
- Billy Harrison, 30, Coulsdon – 3 years
- Harry Sales, 28, Croydon – 3 years
Jackson’s crimes were even worse than first thought. He confessed to 42 extra car thefts, pushing his haul’s value up to £2.1 million.
How the Gang Pulled It Off
The crooks used a clever ‘relay attack’ to steal keyless cars, targeting posh motors like Rolls Royce and Bentley. Police swooped on them on April 26, 2023, after a year-long investigation across several South-East counties.
Crucially, cops found a relay device manual on Lovejoy’s phone, showing how organised these thieves really were. They also faced extra charges, including burglary and drug supply, some running alongside their main sentences.
Police Praise and Justice Served
“This conviction highlights the huge financial damage and the callous disregard for victims,” said DC Matt Earl from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. “It’s a big win against organised vehicle crime.”
The criminals now face years behind bars to ponder their high-priced crime spree.
