Essex crook who stole dog while on Essex burglary spree jailed
An Essex crook went on a burglary spree raiding nine homes and even stealing someone's dog. Shane Smith, 31 of Gypsy Lane, Little Dunmow admitted 13 burglary-related offences from a seven-month period between August 2022 and March 2023.
Smith's spree came to an end in March when he was arrested after being connected to burglaries and attempted burglaries in the Braintree district. He was responsible for breaking into nine homes, stealing items including bank cards, phones and televisions. During one burglary, Smith also stole a West Highland Terrier, which has since been reunited with its owner.
Smith had been connected to the offences following advanced forensic work which was carried out by specialist officers. At one of the burglaries, Smith had left behind a metal car jack, leaving his DNA which was then connected to the other ongoing investigations.
This work tied Smith to burglaries in locations including Dunmow, Great Bardfield, Hatfield Peverel and Takeley. He was swiftly charged with nine counts of burglary dwelling, one count of attempted burglary and three counts of fraud by false representation. At Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday (July 10) he was jailed for seven years.
Detective Chief Inspector Nathan Hutchinson, who oversees investigations in North Essex said: "Shane Smith thought that he was above the law. He thought we wouldn’t catch him. He was wrong. This result demonstrates the length that Essex Police will go to, to take people like him off the streets and to protect people and property.
“Burglary is such an intrusive crime which has a detrimental effect on victims. We understand this and we put our communities first in Essex. That’s why we did everything we could to get the evidence and stop Smith doing this to anyone else.”
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: "At Essex Police, we don’t just go to home burglaries after they have happened. We catch the burglars and we stop them doing it again. We’re delivering justice for all the people whose properties were broken into and peace of mind for everyone who lives in our villages and our cities.
"I know we’ll be able to catch even more criminals if I’m able to keep paying a fair wage to skilled investigators who get great results. I’m speaking up because they deserve a fair deal for the work they do – all I ask is that the force is given the money it needs to make that happen."
References
- ^ Court reports and crime news from across Essex (www.essexlive.news)