Liverpool Burglar Charlie Swann Caught After String of Audacious Thefts
Charlie Swann, 26, from Rumford Close, Liverpool, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, 30 June. The prolific offender pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including five burglaries, three attempted burglaries, six vehicle thefts, and one count of taking a vehicle without consent.
Burglaries and Car Thefts Spanning Runcorn to Lancashire
Swann’s criminal spree kicked off on 8 March when CCTV caught a man with a covered face trying to jimmy a rear patio door on St Mary’s Road, Runcorn. Just days later, on 14 March, he broke into a property on Morston Road, snagged the car keys, and stole a BMW 530e, which police found later that morning. The very next day, Swann attempted to break into another house on Hinton Road but failed.
Not to be deterred, he smashed a rear door lock on Riverside Road and lifted a set of car keys to steal another BMW. Police recovered the vehicle the same day.
On 7 April, a Sur-Ron electric motorbike vanished from a garden in Warrington, with Swann soon linked to the area. More vehicle thefts followed: a Toyota Yaris from Leyland, Lancashire on 20 April, and two more BMWs and an Audi A4 stolen from Cheshire addresses between 24 and 25 April.
Operation Removeable Breaks the Case Wide Open
Runcorn CID launched Operation Removeable, led by PC Stuart Beswick, to hunt the culprit behind the multi-town crime spree. A tip-off about a suspicious vehicle in Merseyside led officers to recover a stolen BMW fitted with fake plates. Forensic tests then nailed Swann’s DNA inside the car.
Swann was arrested at his Liverpool home on 18 May. Officers found a distinctive bag seen on CCTV during one burglary attempt. DNA evidence also tied him to other stolen vehicles, including the Audi A4, and linked him to several car and key burglaries across Cheshire and Lancashire.
Police Promise Justice as Swann Awaits Sentencing
“Swann is a prolific offender and I hope the fact that he is now behind bars will provide his victims with some closure,” said PC Stuart Beswick.
“This investigation has been a real team effort, involving crime scene investigators, forensic services, and proactive local officers.”
I want the community to know Cheshire Constabulary has the resources to deal with serious crime. Burglary has a deep impact on victims, and we will do everything to bring offenders to justice. Anyone thinking of committing such crimes in Cheshire should think again.”
