At Warwick Crown Court, a Nuneaton gang responsible for the theft of over half a million pounds worth of vehicles across five counties has been sentenced to a combined total of more than 14 years in prison.

Over a five-year period from December 2016 to March 2021, the gang targeted 35 vehicles in Warwickshire, Coventry, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire. Their modus operandi involved exploiting keyless technology on parked vehicles at residential properties and businesses, using electronic devices to gain swift entry and drive away within seconds.

The stolen vehicles were either dismantled for parts or subjected to a sophisticated process to alter their identification, subsequently sold to unsuspecting buyers unaware of their stolen status.

The four men convicted, James Wright, James Griffiths, Scott Prosser, and Luke Griffiths, orchestrated a well-organised operation. James Wright, identified as the ringleader, ran the operation from his Nuneaton residence, overseeing the cloning of cars, obtaining insurance, and facilitating sales to unsuspecting buyers.

The breakthrough in the investigation came when a van was spotted in convoy with a stolen car from Dordon. Tracking the van led officers to an industrial unit in Nuneaton, where the stolen vehicle was located. Subsequent analysis of seized mobile phones revealed the key figures in the gang, leading to their arrests and eventual convictions.

Detective Constable Jack Maguire, who led the investigation, stressed the significant impact of the gang’s widespread criminal activities on victims. He stated, “The widespread nature of their offending caused a great deal of distress to the victims, and I am pleased they have been brought to justice.”

Maguire highlighted the commitment of law enforcement to address vehicle crime and tackle organised criminal gangs. He also urged owners of keyless vehicles to take extra precautions, such as using a steering wheel lock and keeping the key fob in a Faraday pouch