Thieves who stole a motorhome worth £85,000 were undone by a combination of new technology and speedy policing.
Two men have been jailed for the offence. A warrant is out for the arrest of a third, who failed to attend court. A fourth suspect remains at large.
Driving a grey Volkswagen Golf, the gang arrived outside the victim’s home in Claxton, between York and Malton, at around 8.20pm on Saturday 27 January 2025.
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Two of the men forced entry into the motorhome parked on the drive.
They then used an angle grinder to remove both wheel security locks before driving the vehicle away, with the Golf following behind.
However, the motorhome was fitted with a GPS tracking device. As soon as it was driven away, the tracking company alerted the owner, who quickly confirmed it had been stolen and contacted police.
Claxton near York
Information about the motorhome’s movements allowed patrols to close in on the offenders.
Both vehicles pulled into a layby just north of Hutton le Hole, where the suspects swapped the numberplates between the motorhome and the Golf.
As officers approached, all four abandoned the motorhome and fled in the Golf at speed.
Officers gave chase along rural lanes towards Blakey Bank.
A stinger device was deployed and punctured two tyres, slowing the vehicle. The Golf eventually came to a stop on Blakey Bank, where four suspects decamped and ran onto the moorland.
Two of the men were arrested within metres of the vehicle after tripping on the rough terrain. A third was located a short time later with assistance from the police helicopter hiding under a hedgerow in a nearby field.
The fourth man got away.
The three who were arrested pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle at an earlier hearing. Today they were sentenced at York Crown Court:
- Lee Harris, 55 of Salisbury Terrace, Stockton on Tees was jailed for seven years and four months, which also took into account a second theft of a motor home
- Alexander Ross, of Sunnyside in Middlesborough, had already been jailed for a previous offence and was sentenced to a further 21 months in prison
- Thomas Bennett, 33 of Hereford Road in Guisborough failed to attend court for sentencing and the judge put out a warrant for his arrest.
Bennett was also charged with dangerous driving.
Detective Constable Alfie Thomlinson from North Yorkshire Police said: “This organised theft was carried out by offenders who believed they could outpace both the victim and the police.
“What they didn’t count on was the effectiveness of modern tracking technology and the quick coordinated response from our officers and staff.
“Thanks to the victim’s quick actions, the support of the tracking company, and the teamwork between our Force Control Room and various specialist units we were able to bring three of the four suspects into custody.
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that North Yorkshire Police will relentlessly pursue those offenders who target our rural communities.”
