Burglar jailed after stealing puppy and firearms in Toft break-in
A burglar who stole a three-month-old puppy and six firearms during a break-in in Toft has been jailed for more than five years.
On 18 March, Sullivan Lee smashed the patio doors of a home in Hardwick Road before taking a Dachshund puppy, named Peggy, from her crate in the kitchen.
Two firearms cabinets were also ripped from the wall, with six firearms stolen along with a blue Mini and the keys to a Toyota Hilux.
Investigation and arrest
CCTV footage captured Lee driving a black Audi S3 in convoy with the stolen Mini. Officers later identified him, and his DNA was recovered from inside the abandoned Mini, which was found in Northamptonshire on 24 March.
The Audi had itself been stolen days earlier during a burglary in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, on 14 March.
Peggy was found abandoned four days after the incident and was safely returned to her owner following a media appeal.
Further offences linked
Lee’s DNA was also linked to a separate burglary in Little Eriswell, near Brandon in Suffolk, on 10 May, where around £800 worth of jewellery was stolen.
Sentencing
At Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday 31 March, Lee, 24, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.
Police statement
PC Andy Smith, from the Southern Acquisitive Crime Team, said:
“Thankfully in this case, Peggy was found and returned to her owners. Lee repeatedly targeted people’s homes with no regard for the fear and distress he caused. We hope this sentence offers some reassurance that we will continue to pursue and bring prolific burglars to justice.”