A gang has been sentenced for stealing keyless cars worth over £215k, causing distress to victims across Epsom and surrounding areas
Epsom: A group of thieves has been sentenced for stealing keyless cars worth over £215,000. They were quite the troublemakers, breaking into homes and even assaulting one victim.
Between June and August 2023, they targeted homes in south-west London and Surrey. They either broke in to grab the keys or used devices to steal the cars without keys.
These guys caused a lot of damage, and on one occasion, they seriously hurt a homeowner. After stealing the cars, they sold some parts in chop shops and put fake number plates on others.
Surrey Police caught them after linking a distinctive Audi A8 to several burglaries. They tracked the cars using automatic number plate recognition and matched suspects to CCTV footage.
One of their telltale signs was a large white carrier bag they used to carry stolen goods, which helped police connect them to multiple crimes.
Rico Persechino and Harry Mackay were arrested outside a shop in East Grinstead. Mackay tried to run but didn’t get far. The others were caught later on.
In total, they received 27 and a half years in prison. One victim shared how distressing the burglary was, saying it left a lasting impact on their lives.
They felt violated and scared, especially after losing family heirlooms. The victim was relieved to see the thieves sentenced and praised the police for their hard work.
Both Mackay and Persechino pleaded guilty to multiple charges, while the others received various sentences for their roles in the crimes.
After the sentencing, the lead investigator highlighted how organized the operation was and commended the team for their dedication in bringing these criminals to justice.