A gang that stole almost £3 million worth of high-end vehicles has been jailed after targeting Heathrow Airport car park.
Some 72 cars, including Range Rovers, BMWs and Mercedes, were stolen across London and the South East over a 10-month period between December 2019 and October 2020.
The gang targeted cars with keyless technology on residential streets, driveways and dealership forecourts, using a device to programme a new digital key in just seconds which allowed them to gain entry and drive off.
An investigation, launched after a number of thefts from a car park at Heathrow Airport, found the group were behind more than £2.8 million worth of stolen vehicles.
One car was located on a shipping container bound for Ghana, while others were re-plated and used to commit separate crimes or dismantled for parts in “chop shops”.
Four men were jailed for more than 20 years at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday after admitting their roles, the Metropolitan Police said.
James Howsen, 32, was jailed for six years and eight months and banned from driving for six years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal, dangerous driving, burglary, and aggravated vehicle taking.
Dwaine Dixon, 29, was jailed for five years and 11 months for conspiracy to steal, and burglary.
Jack MacLeod, 29, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two years and eight months for conspiracy to steal, burglary, two counts of dangerous driving, ABH, and aggravated vehicle taking.
Brodi Higgins, 24, was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two years and ten months for conspiracy to steal, burglary, theft of a vehicle, and dangerous driving.
Four other members of the gang were jailed earlier this year.
Jordan Murray, 25, was jailed for three years and eight months, and disqualified from driving for three years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal and two counts of aggravated vehicle taking.
Zakaria Ahmed, 28, was jailed for four years and three months, and disqualified from driving for seven years and seven months after admitting to conspiracy to steal and two counts of aggravated vehicle taking.
Arif Ahmed, 28, was jailed for three years and three months, and disqualified from driving for three years after admitting to conspiracy to steal, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.
Abbas Moobe, was jailed for three years and three months, and disqualified from driving for two years and nine months after admitting to conspiracy to steal, and aggravated vehicle taking.
