A thief who had a rhyme about breaking into people’s homes on his mobile phone is one of a number of men jailed for plotting burglaries across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
The gang were caught following an extensive investigation by detectives from Stockport CID.
The operation was launched to identify the crime gang behind a spate of burglaries in south Manchester, Trafford, Wilmslow and Handforth, where cars were stolen during the break-ins.
Drew McWilliam (20/07/1992), of Pembury Close Poundswick, Ryan Condron (20/09/1991), of Peel Hall Road, Peel Hall and David Levesconte (07/05/1990), of Beamsley Drive, Woodhouse Park, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary dwellings (between 1 August 2011 and 30 December 2011).
Shaquile Brown (22/09/1993), of Broseley Road, Firswood, Trafford, Jonathon Snape (15/12/1987), of Swanage Avenue, Northern Moor, Jaymi Walker (25/03/1991), of Longhope Road, Woodhouse Park, Manchester, admitted handling stolen goods.
Kate Ridgard (23/07/1980), of Godbert Avenue, Chorlton, admitted handling stolen goods.
At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday 20 December 2012, Condon, McWilliams and Levesconte were sentenced to 40 months in jail, Brown and Snape to two years. Walker was given a 12 month community order and Ridgard ordered to undertake 140 hours unpaid work.
The conspiracy encompasses 26 separate burglary offences but when other offences have been taken into consideration total number of detected offences is 65 (51 burglary dwellings; five burglary (other than a dwelling) offences; three theft from a motor vehicle offences; five theft of a motor vehicle offences and one offence of handling stolen goods).
From the 26 burglary offences, more than 24 cars, worth in excess of £400,000 were stolen. Other electrical items worth several thousand pounds, including TVs, laptops, games consoles and jewellery were also stolen.
Detectives quickly identified the suspects, mostly from the Wythenshawe and Trafford areas during the operation, which ran between October 2011 and February 2012.
The gang would often force entry into the houses or enter through insecure doors or windows. They committed the burglaries late at night and once inside would search the homes for car keys and other items before leaving in the stolen cars.
Following Levescontes’ arrest, the following ‘rhyme’ was found on his phone:
“Cause I’m cold like snow when I’m flaking, What’s that the sound of UR patio breaking, that me n Levo on a break in your car keys N watches were cravin Cartiers N S3S were taking but facing a break in takes balls it’s a bait ting Haa.”
Detective Constable Matt Whittaker, of Stockport CID, said: “We spent months unravelling the activities of this organised crime group, who were involved in a plot to break into people’s homes in order to steal cars.
“The fact that more than 60 crimes have been detected gives you an indication of how determined and persistent they were and their actions along with the ‘rhyme’ found on Levescontes’ phone – which gives a clear insight into their activities – proves they have no regard for local residents or their belongings.”
Detective Chief Inspector Koran Sellars, said: “I must commend the efforts of all the officers involved, who have worked tirelessly for months to bring the offenders to justice.
“Had it not been for their thorough and meticulous investigation these men and women would undoubtedly be out there today committing more crime.”