A GANG who stole 107 vehicles from driveways in the middle of the night when owners were sleeping – at a cost of more than £2 million – have been jailed.

All vehicles were stolen from across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire between February and October in 2023 before being taken to a chop shop where they were stripped for parts.

Five gang members were sentenced at Southampton Crown Court yesterday (October 9) following what the judge described as a ‘remarkable and thorough’ police investigation.

• George Berry, 32, of Bronte Way in Southampton was charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, conspiracy to handle stolen goods, and possession of criminal property. He was handed a sentence of 56 months imprisonment.
• Benjamin Cross, 25, of Newman Road in Bursledon, Southampton was charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, conspiracy to handle stolen goods, possession of criminal property and perverting the course of justice. He was handed a sentence of 64 months imprisonment.
• Rachael Moran, 31, of Bronte Way in Southampton was charged with possession of criminal property. She was handed a sentence of 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
• Bradley Paddick, 22, of Montague Avenue in Southampton was charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to handle stolen goods. He was handed a sentence of 36 months imprisonment.
• Charlotte Traves, 24, of Newman Road in Bursledon, Southampton was charged with possession of criminal property and perverting the course of justice. She was handed a sentence of 18 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

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The court heard this was a ‘highly sophisticated commercial operation carried out by an organised crime group’, with George Berry and Benjamin Cross playing ‘leading roles in the conspiracy’.

The gang used signal boosters to trick keyless ignition vehicles, making it seem as if the vehicle’s key fob was next to the vehicle and allowing it to be unlocked.

They also used ‘signal jammers’ to prevent the vehicles from being locked in the first place, with the owner not realising their key fob had not worked.

The gang members would then return in the middle of the night to drive the unlocked cars away.

The judge described the thefts as “alarming” and “frightening” to any owners of high value cars, but praised the police who “carried out a remarkable and thorough investigation”.

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Paul Beasley of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “The vast majority of the vehicles were stolen by these thugs in the middle of the night from driveways as the owners slept.

“The financial hurt caused by this group to so many families is vast, and many of the victims of these thefts have also suffered mental harm from the distress.

“For many people, having their car stolen can completely disrupt their day to day lives as these are relied upon so much for their work commutes, school runs, grocery shopping and social lives.

“Our investigation has been extremely thorough. Seven different police forces were involved in some capacity, and my team alone put in more than 12,000 hours to make sure this group was brought to justice.

“I’m proud to say that our efforts have completely dismantled this organised crime group and I hope this serves as a warning to those who think they can just take what other people have worked hard to earn.”

A further seven members of this group are due to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on November 21.

• Frank Bran, 23, of International Way, Southampton, charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
• Brandon Cross, 26, of Bursledon Road in Southampton, charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
• Jason Downs, 21, of Walton Place in Winchester, charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
• Gary Kelly, 38, of Ringwood Road in Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset, charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
• William Martin, 24, of Corfe Lodge Road in Broadstone, Dorset, charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
• Billy Masters, 24, of Bramley Crescent in Southampton, charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and possession of criminal property.
• Matthew Watkins, 24, of Manor Road in Ringwood, charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and dangerous driving.

The force is encouraging owners of keyless cars to keep their fob away from doors and windows so their signal does not travel far.

Faraday pouches can also be used to block the signal from keys when people are not using them.

More crime prevention advice can be found here: www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/preventing-car-vehicle-theft/