Hove Man Caught with Stolen Luxury Cars and Cocaine
Robert Thompson, 35, from Church Road, Hove, has admitted to receiving stolen goods, using fake number plates, and possessing cocaine. Police from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) arrested him on January 13 after a lengthy investigation.
The Stolen Range Rover and Van
On January 6, 2021, Thompson was spotted driving a black Range Rover Velar fitted with false plates. The vehicle was later traced back to a burglary in West Drayton in December 2020. GPS data from Thompson’s phone placed him at the scene of the theft. The fake registration he was using also linked to another stolen car taken from Hove in August 2020.
A year later, on January 13, 2022, police found a stolen Citroen Nemo van with false plates parked outside Thompson’s home. A search uncovered the keys inside and a stash of cocaine, leading to Thompson’s arrest.
DNA Evidence Links Thompson to More Thefts
- BMW stolen from Worthing in June 2020
- Range Rover stolen from Lancing in August 2020
These pricey motors, along with others, totalled more than £75,000 in stolen goods.
Guilty Plea and Pending Sentence
At Lewes Crown Court on February 14, Thompson pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods and using fraudulent registration. He admitted possession of a Class A drug two days later.
His sentencing is scheduled for March 17 at a court to be confirmed.
DS Tom Duffy, lead investigator, said: “Robert Thompson has a proven track record of vehicle theft over a number of years, which has had a significant impact on his victims. This conviction is the result of some incredible teamwork, from SEU and Response officers to the investigators who gathered evidence linking Thompson to offences spanning more than two years. I thank the victims and everyone involved for helping bring him to justice.”
