Rochdale burglar jailed in connection with high-value gold jewellery theft in Merseyside

Photo: Merseyside Police

Dean Loveridge

A Rochdale man has been jailed for six years in connection with three burglaries of high-value gold jewellery in Merseyside.

Dean Loveridge, 34, of Rochdale, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week alongside Liverpool man, John Reilly, 30.

Both had been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary after being arrested in Widnes, following a joint investigation by Merseyside Police and Cheshire Police.

Three separate burglaries were reported in Woolton Rainhill and Huyton between 7.30pm and 8.45pm on 28 September. Loveridge and Reilly were arrested the same night as the incidents.
 

Read more: Rochdale man charged in connection with three Merseyside burglariesPublished: 01 October 2021

Loveridge was jailed for six years and Reilly for four years and eight months.

Detective Inspector Tony O’Brien from Operation Castle said: “Burglary is a very personal crime and understandably the victims were left distressed by these incidents, with high-value and often very sentimental pieces of jewellery being stolen.

“Following enquiries and working with our colleagues in Cheshire Police we were able to apprehend Loveridge and Reilly within a matter of hours of the burglaries being carried out.

“This was a particularly difficult enquiry and I am pleased that their sentences reflect the gravity of their offences and they will now spend a considerable period of time behind bars.

“Our enquiries established the pair were targeting specific addresses and I hope that these sentences will reassure our communities that we will react quickly to apprehend people and bring them to justice."

Police advice to help protect your valuables and keep your home secure:

• Don’t leave jewellery or cash on display in your home or even hidden – instead use a bank safety deposit box to store high-value items, or buy a good quality safe and bolt it to a brick wall.
• Photograph each item, keep a written description and make sure it is included in your insurance policy
• Use special property marking technology from www.securedbydesign.com
• Be discreet if wearing jewellery or carrying large amounts of cash in public
• Make sure your social media account security settings are ‘high’ or ‘private’
• Keep your windows and doors locked and use a burglar alarm and security lighting
• Be vigilant of unexpected callers or cold-callers offering doorstep services – write down who they said they were, details of any vehicle they were in, and save and back-up any CCTV footage of them
• Join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme
• Report any suspicious activity, such as being watched or followed, to the police by calling 101