A thief branded a 'prolific offender' by police stole BMWs and an Audi in a spate of so-called 'car and key burglaries' at homes.
Charlie Swann, 26, pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary, three counts of attempted burglary, six counts of theft of a motor vehicle and one count of taking a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner. He was jailed by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court for three years.
Swann, the court heard, targeted homes in the Runcorn and Frodsham areas of Cheshire, and in Leyland and Warrington. Police launched a dedicated operation and Swann was arrested at his home on Rumford Close, Liverpool, and subsequently charged.
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On March 8, CCTV captured a man with his face partially covered trying to force open a patio door at an address on St Mary's Road, Runcorn.
Days later, on March 14, Swann entered a home on Morston Road, Runcorn, and obtained a set of car keys inside to steal a BMW 530e parked outside. It was found by police later the same morning.
Then, in the early hours of the following day, Swann attempted to break into a property on Hinton Road, Runcorn, by snapping a door lock. Undeterred by his failure to do so, he then broke into a property on Riverside Road, Runcorn, and took keys to steal another BMW.
Police said an electric motorbike went on to be stolen in Warrington; a Toyota Yaris from an address in Leyland, Lancashire; an Audi A4 from Frodsham and a BMW 320 from Broadfields, Norton.
Swann's DNA was ultimately found inside one of the stolen BMWs and police also recovered evidence during his arrest. Cheshire Police said Swann two further burglaries and attempted burglaries.
Following the sentencing, Pc Stuart Beswick said: "Swann is a prolific offender and I hope the fact that he is now behind bars will provide his victims with some closure.
"This investigation has been a real team effort and has utilised resources throughout Cheshire Constabulary from crime scene investigation, forensic services and a team of dedicated local proactive officers.
"I know the deep impact that burglary offences have on victims and I want the residents of Cheshire to know that we will do everything possible to identify and bring those responsible to justice."
