Jailed: 'Sophisticated' gang who stole 60 cars in affluent Manchester as owners slept

A gang that stole 60 luxury cars from affluent homes in Greater Manchester in ‘sophisticated and well-organised' raids have been jailed.

The seven gang members raided 42 properties in 'semi-rural' areas of Bolton, Egerton, Chorley, Blackburn, Blackpool, and Ormskirk in April and May 2017.

Prosecutors said they deliberately targeted well-off areas in early hours of the morning, and would often gain access to properties through unlocked doors.

Once inside, the gang would steal car keys and other expensive items from the houses, often while the owners were asleep. The total value of the stolen cars was estimated to be around £500,000.

They would speed off with the stolen cars and change their number plates in an attempt to conceal the theft.

Eventually, police managed to recover most of the stolen vehicles using their in-built tracking and GPS devices, but some were never found.

Some of the cars stolen were high-performance BMWs and Audis with officers having to abandon several vehicle chases because the cars were being driven recklessly at speed.

Lancashire Police said they found the culprits after putting together different pieces of CCTV and phone evidence.

A judge at Preston Crown Court sentenced four of the seven gang members to prison on Tuesday, with the rest receiving community orders.

Philip Sharrock, and Joshua Penney, both 22 and from Chorley, were given the longest sentences of seven years and six months.

Dylan Quayle, 19, from Chorley, was jailed for five years and 10 months.

All three had previously pleaded guilty to offences of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to steal.

The final man to be jailed was 23-year-old Jason Booth, also from Chorley, who sentenced to two years and 10 months for conspiracy to steal.

Luke Ricardo, 19, from Atherton, received a two-year community order for the same offence.

Ryan McCarrick, 20, from Bolton, was given a 15-month sentence in a young offender's institution which was suspended for two years.

A 17-year-old from Chorley, who can't be named for legal reasons, received a two-year youth rehabilitation order with a tag and unpaid work.

After the trial, Sgt Mike Riley of Lancashire police, said "This was a sophisticated and well organised criminal operation targeting high value and high-performance cars with many homes being violated while the occupants were asleep in bed at the time.

"I welcome today’s sentences which reflect both the gravity and scale of the offending."