A notorious gang of car thieves from Birmingham has been sentenced to jail after boasting about their crimes on TikTok. The gang, consisting of four men and two teenagers, managed to steal 45 high-value vehicles worth over £1 million. They targeted homes across Birmingham, Stourbridge, Solihull, Coventry, and Warwickshire between March 2020 and May 2021.
Their audacious crimes were not only captured on video but also shared on social media platforms. In one of their TikTok videos, which was posted on their group account, the gang can be seen wearing masks as they break into a property and then steal a Hyundai. They even uploaded a video of themselves speeding at more than 100 mph in a stolen vehicle in February.
The gang’s recklessness eventually led to their downfall. When the police examined their phones, they discovered recordings of the burglaries, videos of the stolen cars, and internet searches of the registration numbers to determine their value.
All members of the gang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court. Joshua Reid, 25, received a prison sentence of four years and six months, while Cody Morgan, also 25, was sentenced to three years and four months. Connor O’Keefe-Clancy, 19, was jailed for five years, and Ryan Allen, 21, received a sentence of four years and three months. One of the teenage boys, aged 16, was given a sentence of four years and six months, and the other 16-year-old received a two-year Youth Rehabilitation Order and will be tagged for one year, including an overnight curfew.
The Birmingham Police have described the gang as brazen criminals who showed little regard for their victims. They armed themselves with weapons and even threatened to stab a homeowner in Kings Norton if he didn’t hand over his car keys in October 2020.
The police launched an investigation into the series of car key burglaries, which eventually led to the arrest of two gang members who were only 16 at the time. A member of the public reported a suspicious car and occupants on Groveley Lane, Birmingham, and when the police searched the vehicle, they found pepper spray, balaclavas, and another set of car keys belonging to a stolen BMW. The arrest of the entire gang took place in June.
The gang’s arrest came as a relief to their victims, who had suffered not only in terms of property damage but also in their everyday lives. Some victims expressed fear of leaving their houses, even to attend medical appointments. The impact of the gang’s crimes on the victims was described as devastating.
While the gang did not lead lavish lifestyles, they managed to steal numerous vehicles, some of which have been recovered as part of the investigation.
Detective Constable Kenny Crawford, from Birmingham’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, said, These offences were a series of brazen, planned and targeted crimes where vehicles were stolen to order. Before committing these crimes, the group would research potential locations on their mobile phones, even recording images or videos of the properties they intended to target.
He added, These six offenders have demonstrated a complete lack of remorse for their actions and even recorded their crimes before uploading them onto TikTok for views.
The Birmingham Police hope that the sentences handed down to the gang will bring some closure to the victims and serve as a strong message to other criminals in the West Midlands that they will be investigated and brought to justice.
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