Vehicle theft gang jailed following major investigation

A massive vehicle theft gang in Staffordshire have been jailed for a collective 16 and a half years after our detectives launched a major investigation into their offending.

The 11 men were responsible for 43 thefts and attempted thefts of vehicles across Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Derbyshire. The combined value of the vehicles they targeted is estimated to be around £1.1 million.

Between 7 January and 8 April 2022, the gang worked together to target 26 different vehicles, including Land Rover Defenders, Range Rover Evoques, a Volkswagen camper van, Ford Transits, quad bikes and others.

They also took a further 11 Range Rovers and tried to take six more between 14 August and 5 October 2023.

Through countless hours of tireless detective work to trawl through the evidence, officers from our criminal investigations department (CID) were able to secure convictions against those involved, putting a gigantic dent in the organised crime groups responsible for vehicle theft across the region.

The group are now behind bars after being sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (24 January).

Joshua Jackson, 23, of Wolverhampton, has been jailed for six years after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Darren Quilt, 28, of Cannock, has been jailed for five years after he admitted two counts of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Samuel Mansell, 32, of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, has been jailed for three years after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Malcolm Halls, 46, of Walsall, has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison after he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Thomas Cotterill, 31, of Wolverhampton, has been jailed for one year after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Joshua Gunter, 21, of Walsall, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment, suspended for two years, after he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Gareth Arrowsmith, 45, of Walsall, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Mitchell Sheridan, 26, of Wolverhampton, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

Jake Winters, 29, of Lincolnshire, is due to be sentenced at a later date after he admitted handling stolen goods.

Two other men were sentenced at a separate hearing in December last year.

Detective Constable Steven Davenport, from our CID, said: “This was a huge investigation involving so many specialists and dedicated officers who have all worked together to put a dangerous gang of criminals before the courts.

“We want to be absolutely clear that vehicle thieves are being targeted robustly, no matter where they go.

“We’re gathering intelligence, speaking to policing colleagues and putting measures in place every day in Staffordshire to go after those involved in the gangs responsible for this type of crime.”