Yahoo News The 'A-team' behind 21 burglaries across Yorkshire and how they were brought down
Four men have been jailed for a string of burglary offences across Yorkshire.
Following an investigation by the Wakefield District Crime Team, the four men were linked to burglary offences across Wakefield, Goole, Pontefract, Hemsworth, Skellow, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Denby Dale, Barnsley, Thurnscoe, Woolley, Emley and Kirkburton. This added up to 21 burglary offences which took place between February 4 and March 5 this year.
The men appeared at Leeds Crown Court today for sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
READ MORE: The 'seriously dangerous and depraved' drug dealer who repeatedly raped two teenage girls
Get all the latest and breaking West Yorkshire court news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.
They received the following sentences:
Diaz Watson Frederick, aged 18, formerly of Thurnscoe, Barnsley, who was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment.
Kyle Snowball, aged 25, formerly of Darfield, Barnsley, who was sentenced to seven years and seven months imprisonment.
Connor Leigh Walker, aged 25, formerly of South Elmsall, who was sentenced to eight years and 9 months imprisonment.
Billy Dennis Wright, aged 20, formerly of Darfield, Barnsley, who was sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment.
Wright, Watson and Snowball were all members of a Snapchat group called the 'A-Team'. Walker was not a member of the group but was referenced in the group on several occasions.
In the group, they talked about police cars and chases, changing vehicle registration plates, police activity in the area, selling stolen vehicles and jewellery and planning offences throughout Yorkshire.
On February 21, a white Kia Sportage and an Audi were stolen in a burglary in the Doncaster area. The Kia was used to commit further offences.
Then, on March 4, a police chase was authorised after the car was seen leaving the scene of a burglary in the Woolley area of Wakefield. All four defendants were seen in the car and were arrested.
Jewellery stolen in a burglary in Huddersfield was found in the car.
Detective Sergeant Lewis Hibbert, of Wakefield District Crime Team, said: "These men have been responsible for burglaries across Yorkshire, stealing jewellery and vehicles valued at over £150k.
"These were not spontaneous offences; they were organised by the group beforehand. They have bragged about their plans and shown little thought for the people whose properties they have targeted.
"House burglary is literally an invasion of a person’s home, and I know the concern it causes in our communities. I hope residents are reassured by the positive action that has been taken with these men now in prison for their crimes."
