Mini Cooper Smash-and-Grab Thieves Caught Red-Handed
Two brazen crooks have been locked up after stealing a Mini Cooper and using it to smash into a West Byfleet jewellers. They fled with a haul of watches and jewellery in a daring daylight raid.
Ram Raid Drama Caught on Camera
On 29 January, a red Mini was stolen from Addlestone. Hours later, shocked eyewitnesses saw the same car repeatedly reverse into the front window of Brooklands Jewellers in West Byfleet. The glass finally shattered, and a man jumped out, grabbing bags of bling before sprinting back into the driver’s seat. They sped off within minutes, leaving chaos behind.
Police Dogs Track Down the Looters
Police raced to the scene and soon chased the Mini through New Haw. The thieves abandoned the car and ran on foot. But police dog Vinnie and his handler tracked them through Pinewood Allotments to a nearby shed. Armed officers swooped in and arrested the pair as Vinnie kept watch.
Nearby, dog PD Oakley sniffed out a pillowcase full of stolen watches and jewellery hidden in the bushes. It was a crucial breakthrough thanks to the sharp canine noses.
Career Criminals Handed Hard Sentences
- Matthew White, 30, of Addlestone, was jailed for 4 years and 8 months and banned from driving for three years upon release.
- Benjamin Brazil, 38, from West Drayton, got 4 years and 2 months, with an 18-month driving ban.
White was convicted of burglary, vehicle theft, and dangerous driving. Brazil faced charges of burglary, theft, driving without a licence or insurance, and careless driving.
“White and Brazil are career criminals who showed no respect for other people’s property,” said DC Kerry Plumb. “Luckily, they now have plenty of time to think about it behind bars.”
“This arrest was down to brilliant teamwork from dog units, traffic cops, armed response, investigations, and neighbourhood teams. Huge thanks to the public whose eyewitness reports nailed them at the scene.”
