Two men jailed after ramming stolen car into West Byfleet store and stealing watches and jewellery
The pair had stolen the car from two women after climbing inside and demanding they get out
Two men have been jailed for a brazen jewellery shop burglary in West Byfleet after stealing a car and using it to violently ram into the store’s window in a smash-and-grab raid.
On Wednesday, 29 January, a red Mini Cooper was stolen from Addlestone. According to police, the owner and her friend were sitting in the parked vehicle when two men unexpectedly entered the rear doors. The men demanded the women get out the car, prompting them to flee in fear as the thieves sped off in the Mini.
Several hours later, stunned witnesses saw the same red Mini Cooper repeatedly reversing into the windows of Brooklands Jewellers in West Byfleet. After breaking the glass, one of the men climbed out of the car, reached under the shattered storefront, and grabbed watches and jewellery. He loaded them into the car, and the duo made a swift escape.
Police responded to reports of the ram raid and began a pursuit in New Haw. The stolen Mini Cooper was soon found abandoned, with the men fleeing on foot. Police Dog (PD) Vinnie and his handler quickly picked up the trail, tracking the suspects through Pinewood Allotments to a shed where the two men were hiding. Armed officers then arrested them.
Meanwhile, PD Oakley and his handler searched nearby woods, where the police dog discovered a pillowcase hidden in bushes. Inside were the watches and jewellery stolen hours earlier from Brooklands Jewellers.
Matthew White, 30, of Addlestone, and Benjamin Brazil, 38, of West Drayton, were charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. White faced an additional charge of dangerous driving, while Brazil was also charged with driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance or a licence, and vehicle interference.
Both men were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, 6 October. White was given four years and eight months in prison and will be disqualified from driving for three years after release. Brazil received four years and two months behind bars, along with an 18-month driving disqualification upon release.
Investigating officer DC Kerry Plumb said, “White and Brazil are career criminals who acted with no regard for property that was not their own, stealing whatever they wanted, wreaking havoc along the way, and not stopping to think about the consequences of their actions. Fortunately, they now have plenty of time to reflect on this in prison.
“Officers with a variety of skills from across the force – ranging from dog handlers to investigations to traffic to armed response and uniformed response and neighbourhood officers – played a vital role in pulling this case together. Bringing these criminals to justice would not have been possible without this teamwork.
“I am also thankful for the many members of the public who came forward as witnesses. Their evidence helped us place White and Brazil – and the car they stole – at the scene of the ram raid in West Byfleet and was crucial in helping land them behind bars.”