BRAZEN thieves stole cars worth £2million using a keyless device disguised as a Game Boy – including one with a toddler still inside.
A gang nicked 170 top-end motors in a four-year spree across north and east London.
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One Volvo was stolen with the owner’s three year old child strapped into the car seat, Snaresbrook crown court heard.
The gang cloned the vehicles and forged documents which duped dealers as well as private buyers.
Victims who bought the stolen cars will not recover a penny of their money.
In May 2021 gang leaders Alfie Brown, 31, and Andre Clarke, 33, tried to steal the Volvo in Chigwell with the three-year-old still inside.
When they realised the toddler was in the car screeched to a halt, leaving the child with minor injuries as the crooks ran off.
David Burvill, 36, and Mark Preece, 30, laundered £78,000 from the sale of the stolen cars.
The gang also had an inside man – Marcin Gorecki, 40, who worked at British Car Auctions.
He helped move the stolen cars and sold a Jaguar which had been exchanged for a stolen vehicle with cloned plates to a car dealership in Essex in 2019.
The gang was sentenced to a total of 13 years and five months in prison.
Detective Constable Dave Van Der Valk said: “There were two layers of victims in this case.
“Those who had their cars stolen and those who bought the stolen cars.
“Those who bought the stolen cars without realising were truly the most affected.
“There were 170 victims affected by the heartless behaviour of the group.”
DC Van Der Valk added: “They did not receive any compensation from insurance companies.
“We’ll leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to catch criminals who look to enjoy the proceeds of illicit funds – no matter how complex the case.”
The investigation into the gang began in January 2022 when officers discovered that a series of car thefts in north London were linked.
CROOKS CAGED
Brown, from Edmonton, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle and conspiracy to possess/ acquire criminal property between October 2018 and December 2022.
Clarke, from Waltham Cross, was sentenced to four years and three months for conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle and conspiracy to possess or acquire criminal property between October 2018 – December 2022.
Gorecki, from Waltham Cross, was given a two year suspended sentence for conspiracy to possess or acquire criminal property between October 2018 – December 2022.
Preece, from Romford, was given a nine month sentence suspended for 12 months, for conspiracy to possess or acquire criminal property between October 2018 – December 2022.
David Burvill, from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, was given an 11 month sentence suspended for 15 months, for conspiracy to possess or acquire criminal property between October 2018 – December 2022.
Simple checks to avoid getting duped
DC VAN Der Valk said buyers can take simple steps to reduce the risk of buying a stolen car.
- Meet the seller at public locations like car dealerships. If you have any concerns about the vehicle, staff at these locations can assist or provide advice.
- Check the electronic VIN stored on the infotainment unit or by using OBD diagnostic kits. These cannot be changed without replacing the unit. Staff car dealerships would be able to assist with this.
- Ask the sellers to provide photo ID and record it. Legitimate sellers should be happy to provide this.
- Never pay in cash – there are no legitimate reasons sellers should insist on it.
- If the vehicle was advertised through a selling website then payment should be made through the site as they provide customer protection.
- Always check the V5 document, VIN numbers and conduct HPI checks.
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