Couple hid in bathroom during burglarly

Four teenagers have been jailed after stealing the keys to an Audi S3 in Burbage.

The three 17-year-olds and one 16-year old , who are all affiliated to the C2 gang in Coventry, struck almost 40 times in the space of four months between December 2019 and March 2020. 

It’s estimated they stole high-performance cars with a combined value of £700,000 during the raids in Coventry, Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

The final burglary on 8th March in Burbage, Leicestershire, also saw a couple take refuge in a bathroom while the thieves rifled through their home for keys to an Audi S3. They later told how they feared for their lives and had considered jumping from the window.

Det Insp Martin added: “These were really violent offences that left many victims terrified. Many of the offences were in broad daylight and in some the victims were at home. It was clearly a shocking experience for them and I hope the fact the offenders have been handed long jail terms will provide some comfort."

Police linked the youths to the break-ins through extensive phone work − recovering photos and video of them posing in stolen cars − plus examination of road cameras showing them making off from the violent raids.

Officers also found DNA linked to one of the offenders in a BMW M140i − taken in Leicestershire on 11 December 2019 − that was found crashed in Coventry’s Silverdale Close 19 days later.

All four teenagers, who cannot be named because of their age,  admitted conspiracy to commit burglary and at Birmingham Crown Court on 8 April they were given custodial sentences, which combined - are just over 18 years - for their part in the burglaries.

Coventry Police Detective Inspector Kerrie Martin, said: “Young men and, sadly, boys linked to this C2 gang are behind a lot of the violence we’ve seen in Coventry.

“We’ve now taken several members of the gang out of society where they no longer pose a danger to the public. And we will continue to pursue anyone who chooses gang life and causes fear and harm in our communities.

“We have a dedicated gangs unit in Coventry that’s getting under the skin of these gangs and to disrupt their activity.

“But for those who want to step away from gangs we can help. We work with partners to support anyone wanting to sever ties with gangs and get them on the path to a more fulfilling life." 

The group first struck on 8 December 2019 in Dawlish Drive, Stivichall, where they forced open a kitchen window before swiping keys to a Seat Ateca Cupra. 

We later recovered video from one of their phones showing them boasting about being in the £38,000 car and accelerating at speed. The Seat was found burned out and on false plates in Cleveland on 13 January.

They went on to commit a string of violent break-ins where they kicked open doors, force windows or hurled bricks through windows to gain entry.

Most offences were carried out during the day when residents were out but on occasions victims were threatened and assaulted. 

On Christmas Eve 2019 they tried kicking open the front door to a home in Stivichall Croft, Coventry, while a family were inside.

And on 16 February a woman hid inside her bathroom after the gang broke into her home in Station Avenue, Tile Hill, before stealing a Mini.