Three serial burglars jailed for stealing almost £300,000 worth of cigarettes from businesses in the Harborough area

Three serial burglars who targeted shops and other commercial targets in Market Harborough and nearby villages have been jailed for a total of over 18 years.

Otis William Barrett, 26, Matthew Lawrence Brown, 30, and Terrance Mark Brown, 25, raided 52 outlets across five counties between January and May this year.

The gang stole almost £300,000 worth of cigarettes and wreaked over £100,000 damage.

They were finally tracked down and arrested by Northamptonshire Police’s crack Serious and Organised Crime Team, a court heard.

The gang broke into the Co-Op on Coventry Road in Market Harborough late on the night of Sunday February 2 and pinched a stash of cigarettes.

The “organised crime group”, who wore balaclavas and used stolen cars, targeted Tesco on Market Hill in Rothwell just four days later.

They hit Walcote Service Station on Lutterworth Road, Walcote, at 1am on Saturday March 21.

The offenders burgled F Howkins and Son Esso Service Station on Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, just after 11pm on Wednesday April 1.

They forced their way in to their targets using power tools and crow bars while wearing balaclavas and gloves to hide their identities, said Northamptonshire Police.

“Stolen cars and numerous stolen number plates were also used in order to evade police detection,” said police.

Barrett, of Banbury Close, Matthew Brown, of Crow Lane, and Terrance Brown, of Glebeland Road, all Northampton, all admitted all 52 offences at Northampton Crown Court.

Their crime spree finally came to an end on Friday May 1 when they were trapped by police after burgling Tesco Express in Coppice Drive, Northampton.

Judge David Herbert, QC, told the trio they were “determined, professional and a serious calibre of criminal” as he locked them up.

After the case, Det Con Emma Howe, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “This commercial burglary series was undertaken by very organised, professional criminals, who stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of goods from commercial premises across the region.

“The Serious and Organised Crime Team have been working relentlessly in order to bring this group of criminals to justice.

“I am really pleased that they have now been convicted of their crimes and sent to jail.”

She added: “This was a very long and difficult investigation that I am pleased has concluded with the right result.

“Countless commercial burglaries have been prevented as a result.

“I’m glad there has been justice for the victims of these 52 crimes who have had to pay the price for this trio’s destructive behaviour.”