Conspiracy to steal high-value cars unmasked by GMP

Benjamin Dodd

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A gang involved in stealing high-value cars during burglaries has been smashed thanks to Greater Manchester Police.

Today, nine men who were part of the criminal gang responsible have been sentenced for their role in the conspiracy.

It follows an investigation by the Operation Azuma team - an operation launched by Greater Manchester Police into burglaries across Greater Manchester and Lancashire during which high-value cars including Audis and Volkswagons among other makes were stolen.

Between July and September 2011, homes in the Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Stockport and north Manchester areas, along with homes in Lancashire, were raided and cars stolen.

In mid-September, Greater Manchester Police launched an operation to identify and arrest those involved.

During the searches, officers recovered up to £150,000 worth of stolen cars, a pistol and ammunition.

Detective Sergeant Damian Gething, from the Serious Organised Crime Group, said: "Each of these men played their part in a plot to steal high-value cars during burglaries and then sell them on to line their own pockets.

"Anyone who has been a victim of burglary or who has had their car stolen will know the misery and distress these sorts of criminals cause. Make no mistake these were a determined bunch of criminals who targeted homes across the breadth of Greater Manchester and even into Lancashire, and did not care who they targeted so long as they could get their hands on expensive cars.

"However, thanks to some excellent teamwork by officers from across several of Greater Manchester Police's divisions, the Serious Organised Crime Group and the Crown Prosecution Service we were able to identify the culprits and today they have been brought to justice.

"I have no doubt that Greater Manchester and Lancashire are safer places to live now that these men have been exposed and stopped in their tracks.

"We know there are people out there still committing burglaries and I hope this sends a message to our communities, both the law-abiding ones we police and the criminal community, that anyone who turns to a life of burglary will be tracked down and arrested."

OFFENDERS

Ricco Atkinson (born 14/06/1991), of Blueberry Avenue, Moston, Toni Evans (born 8/12/1989), of Amos Avenue, Newton Heath

Scott Adams (born 24/03/1988) of Crosby Road, Newton Heath

Benjamin Dodd (born 02/04/1991) of Greenside Lane, Droylsden

Samuel Hunter (born 11/02/1989) of Rimmer Close, Beswick

Danilo Jose (born 04/09/1992) of Bexley Walk, Newton Heath pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. Jose also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm.

Atkinson was jailed for 32 months, Evans for two-and-a-half years, Adams for two years, Dodd for three-and-a-half years, Hunter for three-and-a-half years and Jose for four-and-a-half years.

Lucky Osazuwa (born 03/03/1990), of Rosebank Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, possession of a firearm and fraud. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Jeffrey Nelson (born 16/07/1949) of Daisy Bank Road, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to fraud, burglary and possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 32 months in prison.

Pedro Sanchez (born 21/4/91) of Wallwork Street, Openshaw, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was jailed for eight months, suspended for a year, and ordered to complete 120 hours unpaid work.