Teen carjacking gang responsible for nearly 100 crimes behind bars after being caught in high-speed chase

A group of teenagers have been put behind bars after carrying out a spree of around 100 crimes including violent carjackings and house break-ins.

The gang, who wreaked havoc across parts of the Midlands with their rampage, were finally caught by police after a car chase that saw them reach speeds of 132mph in a stolen car.

Police said a seven-strong gang was responsible for dozens of high-performance car thefts in the West Midlands, West Mercia and Warwickshire between December 2020 and last December.

Detectives were initially looking into 15 car thefts but the youths were then linked to a wider series a crimes incorporating 97 offences.

They included a carjacking in Harborne, Birmingham, where a man was attacked after pulling onto his driveway, while CCTV footage from another crime show the masked teenagers armed with a screwdriver trawling a house before taking keys to an Audi RS6.

On one occasion a woman’s car keys were stolen overnight from her home while she slept, and in another incident, the gang broke into a house and threw ketchup and red wine over the walls and carpets before stealing a Mini Cooper.

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One of the teens, 19-year-old Jamoye Simpson, was held on 17 October last year shortly after a BMW 3-Series was stolen from a burglary in Coventry. It later crashed in Weoley Castle, Birmingham, after being spotted and pursued by police and he and a 16-year-old were arrested running from the scene.

Four members of the group were arrested after a high-speed chase on the A435 in Worcestershire after they had stolen two cars.

Jordan Jones, 19, was at the wheel of a stolen Audi A3 with a 16-year-old passenger and the pair were in convoy with two more 16-year-olds in a stolen Volkswagen Golf, when they were pursued by police.

Jones dumped the Audi in single-lane roadworks in a bid to block officers as all four made off in their getaway car but in-car footage shows the moment officers from West Midlands Police caught the gang, using a stinger then surrounding the car.

All seven teens were charged with conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to rob, while Jones and the three teenagers involved in the pursuit were all charged with dangerous driving.

They all pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court in October and have been put behind bars.

Jamoye Simpson, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to nine years and six months.

Jordan Jones, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and two months.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and 11 months.

A 16-year-old boy, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and six months.

A 16-year-old boy, pleaded guilty and was sentence to 12 months in prison (released due to time served). Two further 16-year-old boys will be sentenced in December.

Detective Sergeant Wayne Dudley, from West Midlands Police, said: 'It’s shocking that a group of largely children could be responsible for such a sizeable burglary and car theft conspiracy.

"Most of the vehicles were stolen by snapping door locks and forcing entry. Some car keys were taken while people slept, but the CCTV footage we’ve released shows they were prepared to confront victims and use violence.

"This was a really complex, detailed investigation involving seven offenders and at least 97 offences. CCTV, forensics, phone work and evidence downloaded from their mobiles helped us build a strong case."