Men jailed for using stolen car to carry out ram raid at West Byfleet jewellery shop

On Wednesday, January 29, police said a red Mini Cooper was stolen from Addlestone.

Surrey Police said the owner of the Mini was parked up in the car with a friend when two men opened the rear doors, climbed in, and demanded that they get out.

Afraid of what might happen if they stayed, police said the women jumped out of the car and the men sped off.

Several hours later, witnesses watched open-mouthed as the same red Mini Cooper reversed repeatedly into the window of Brooklands Jewellers in West Byfleet.

Having rammed the glass until it shattered, Surrey Police said a man jumped out of the rear passenger seat, reached under the broken shop window, and began removing watches and jewellery from inside.

He piled these items into the back of the car, and they were gone within a matter of minutes, the force added.

Police were swiftly dispatched to the scene and following a short pursuit in New Haw the Mini was abandoned.

Surrey Police said the thieves fled on foot, but Police Dog (PD) Vinnie and his handler were able to pick up their scent and tracked it through Pinewood Allotments in New Haw to a shed.

Police said the two men hiding inside were removed by armed officers, watched over by a triumphant PD Vinnie.

Meanwhile, close by, PD Oakley and his handler were scouring the woods for evidence – and PD Oakley’s nose hit the jackpot when he uncovered a pillowcase partly concealed in the bushes.

On carefully opening it, his handler found it contained the watches and jewellery stolen from Brooklands Jewellers several hours earlier.

Surrey Police said Matthew White, 30, and Benjamin Brazil, 38, were arrested and charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle.

Police said White was also charged with dangerous driving, and Brazil was additionally charged with driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance or a licence, and vehicle interference.

They were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, October 6 as follows:

• White, of Addlestone, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison. He will also be disqualified from driving for three years on his release.
• Brazil, of West Drayton, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison. He will also be disqualified from driving for 18 months on his release.

Investigating officer DC Kerry Plumb said, “White and Brazil are career criminals who acted with no regard for property that was not their own, stealing whatever they wanted, wreaking havoc along the way, and not stopping to think about the consequences of their actions.

“Fortunately, they now have plenty of time to reflect on this in prison.

“Officers with a variety of skills from across the force – ranging from dog handlers to investigations to traffic to armed response and uniformed response and neighbourhood officers – played a vital role in pulling this case together.

“Bringing these criminals to justice would not have been possible without this teamwork.

“I am also thankful for the many members of the public who came forward as witnesses.

“Their evidence helped us place White and Brazil – and the car they stole – at the scene of the ram raid in West Byfleet and was crucial in helping land them behind bars.”