Teenage gang who stole 100 cars caught and jailed after high-speed police chase

A gang of teenagers who stole up to 100 cars in the last year have been jailed, the youngest of the group only 16 years of age.

Police caught the criminal clan after linking them to a string of burglaries and violent carjackings, and have released helicopter CCTV footage capturing showing the moment the crooks were boxed-in and arrested following a high-speed 40-mile pursuit.

The four culprits caught on the run were among a group of seven thieves responsible for dozens of high-performance car thefts in the West Midlands, West Mercia and Warwickshire between December 2020 and last December.

High-speed chase

Car dashcam footage from West Midlands Police shows the start of the pursuit on 23 November last year, when traffic patrol cops caught up with Jordan Jones, who was at the wheel of an Audi A3, stolen minutes earlier from a home in Oldbury.

He was alongside a 16-year-old, in the car and were in convoy with two more 16-year-olds in a stolen VW Golf.

Jones, from Shelfield Road in Kings Heath, dumped the Audi in single-lane roadworks in a bid to block officers as all four made off in their getaway car.

However, the police helicopter kept tabs on them from above and after the car’s tyres were stung, officers surrounded the car on the A435 towards Wythall.

Jordan Jones, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and two months

Car-jacking and burglaries

“We linked the gang to a nasty car-jacking in Gilmorton Close, Harborne on 12 November, when a man was attacked after pulling onto his driveway,” confirmed police.

“He bravely tried to fight them off, but was outnumbered and was thrown to the floor when he tried to drag one of the thieves from behind the wheel.

“We recovered the BMW from behind flats in Acocks Green and later found messages on their phones asking where to find a tracker on a BMW M3.”

Additional CCTV footage from a house in Solihull, on 4 October, shows the teenagers tiptoeing through the lounge before taking keys to an Audi RS6. A police investigation revealed the gang of thieves also included Jamoye Simpson, from Shakespear Crescent, Hockley and another two 16 year-old boys.

Simpson, 19, was arrested on 17 October last year, shortly after a BMW 3-Series was stolen from a burglary in Coventry.

It later crashed in Weoley Castle after being spotted and pursued by a police patrol unit, leading to Simpson and a 16-year-old being arrested while running away from the scene.

Detectives were initially looking into 15 car thefts but as the investigation developed and the group’s phones were examined, police linked them to a wider series incorporating 97 offences.

On one occasion a woman’s car keys were stolen overnight (10-11 Nov) from her Knowle home while she slept.

Also in the early hours of 11 November, they broke into a house in Hall Green. This time they stole a Mini Cooper and cruelly squirted ketchup over the walls and threw red wine over the carpets and sofa before leaving.

On 22 November, members of the gang stole a BMW M4 in Droitwich. Cops later found an Instagram post showing two of the 16-year-old’s posing on the rear boot of the car.

Jamoye Simpson, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and sentenced to nine years and six months

Caught and sentenced

All seven captured culprits were charged with conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to rob, while Jones and the three teenagers involved in the pursuit were all charged with dangerous driving.

They all pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court on in October and on Wednesday (16 November), Jones and Simpson along with three teenagers were sentenced.

Jamoye Simpson, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and sentenced to nine years and six months.

Jordan Jones, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and two months.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and 11 months.

A 16-year-old boy, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years and six months.

A 16-year-old boy, pleaded guilty and was sentence to 12 months in prison (released due to time served).

Two further 16-year-old boys will be sentenced on 1 December.

West Midlands Police: “It’s shocking that a group of largely children could be responsible for such a sizeable burglary and car theft conspiracy." — West Midlands Police: “It’s shocking that a group of largely children could be responsible for such a sizeable burglary and car theft conspiracy.”

Seven offenders and 97 offences

Detective Sergeant Wayne Dudley led the investigation. He said: “It’s shocking that a group of largely children could be responsible for such a sizeable burglary and car theft conspiracy.

“Most of the vehicles were stolen by snapping door locks and forcing entry. Some car keys were taken while people slept, but the CCTV footage we’ve released shows they were prepared to confront victims and use violence.

“This was a really complex, detailed investigation involving seven offenders and at least 97 offences. CCTV, forensics, phone work and evidence downloaded from their mobiles helped us build a strong case.

“It’s real credit to the team of detectives here that we’ve secured successful prosecutions.”

In a statement, West Midlands Polices also suggested vehicle owners protect themselves by helping beat car thieves.

“Most importantly, keep your vehicle locked at all times, and check it’s locked.

“We’d also advise using a steering lock when the vehicle is parked for long periods or overnight and to keep your keys in a faraday pouch so the fob’s frequency can’t be grabbed by car theft gadgets.”