Car thieves jailed for stealing high-performance vehicles across Surrey and Sussex
Gang targeted Audi RS models in residential thefts
A group of four car thieves has been sentenced for their role in stealing high-performance vehicles in Surrey and Sussex last year.
The gang focused their thefts on grey Audi RS model vehicles at residential properties in Stoneleigh, Surrey, and Copthorne, Sussex.
They broke into homes at night to take car keys before driving away in the vehicles.
The thieves were apprehended when officers on patrol discovered an unattended grey Audi RS4 with cloned registration plates parked in Chipstead on the same day as one of the offences.
After spotting the officers, the four offenders attempted to flee but were caught following a brief foot chase.
PC Joe Brown said: “During the foot chase they tried to throw away car keys connecting them to this vehicle, but these were recovered along with another set belonging to a second stolen car.
“We know vehicle theft has increased but we are working hard every day to identify and catch the offenders who are targeting them.”
Three members of the group were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, 17th April.
Romaine Simpson, 27, from Sutton, received a sentence of two years and seven months.
Charlie Hart, 24, from Croydon, was sentenced to two years and three months.
Kayden Brown, 20, from Carshalton, was sentenced to 16 months in a Young Offenders Institution.
A fourth member, a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced in an earlier hearing at Staines Magistrates’ Court in February.
He received a Youth Referral Order for 12 months, a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order, and was disqualified from driving for 16 months.
The sentencing brings closure to the vehicle theft crimes that affected residents in Surrey and Sussex.