A group of burglars, who dubbed themselves the ‘Sticky Bandits’ after the iconic crooks from Home Alone, has been handed a total of 31 years in prison for their string of daring raids across the West Midlands.
This gang of five professional criminals filmed themselves as they stole machinery and metals worth a staggering £1.6 million from industrial units and factories.
Burglary Spree Across the West Midlands
The thieves targeted businesses in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, and several other locations during the Christmas 2022 period.
Many of these businesses were closed over the festive season, making them prime targets for the gang’s calculated heists.
The criminals even went as far as scoping out one warehouse by posing as mourners at a nearby cemetery.
During one raid, the gang left behind a disturbing message—spray painting “Ha ha. Merry Xmas, Happy New Year” on the floor before setting fire to a stolen lorry they used to transport the stolen goods.
A Professional, Organized Crime Operation
The gang, who hailed from Wolverhampton, used heavy-duty machinery to steal large quantities of metal and machinery from their victims.
They didn’t stop there; they also made off with vehicles from the businesses, often using cloned plates to transport the stolen goods back to their base on Watery Lane.
The stolen materials were likely sold to unscrupulous scrap dealers.
To avoid detection, the criminals used an impressive 17 mobile phones between them during their crime spree.
They carefully planned their raids during quieter periods, like the Christmas break, when they believed the risk of getting caught was lower.
A Disturbing Crime Spree Caught on Tape
The gang didn’t just carry out their crimes in secret—they filmed many of their raids.
In one clip, they referred to themselves as the ‘Sticky Bandits,’ echoing the infamous burglars from Home Alone.
In another video, the gang members laughed and joked as they ransacked a warehouse.
One even recorded himself scoping out a business while pretending to mourn at a grave, commenting in a voice note, “Do you think I’m sad that I made it look like I was mourning on a grave just so I could scope out the building?”
The Investigation and Convictions
The gang’s downfall came when detectives used CCTV footage and phone records to piece together their criminal activities.
After a series of dawn raids in June, the police were able to arrest the five men responsible.
The total financial loss to the businesses, including the stolen materials, vehicles, and damage to buildings, was a massive £1.6 million.
The knock-on effects—lost sales, security upgrades, and increased insurance premiums—amounted to an additional £800,000.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, the five men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle commercial premises between December 2022 and June 2023.
Adam Shakespeare, 31, was sentenced to six years and five months in prison.
David Smith, 36, Lee Fletcher, 33, and Royston Hallard, 30, each received six years and four months. David Williams, 44, was sentenced to three years and four months.
A Message to Criminals
Detective Constable Kelly Whyte from the West Midlands Police Major Crime Proactive Unit said, “This was serious, organised and professional criminality on an industrial scale.”
She continued, “We’re pleased that these criminals are now facing significant prison sentences, sending a strong message that we will hunt down anyone involved in organised crime and bring them to justice.”
The gang’s conviction marks the end of their reign of terror, but their story serves as a reminder of the lengths some criminals will go to—and the serious consequences that await those who choose this path.
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