A GANG who burgled more than 50 homes across the West Midlands have been convicted.
The four stole around £300,000 of jewellery and cash from homes across Solihull, Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall between last November and January this year.
West Midlands Police said the masked gang would ensure no-one was present at the targeted addresses before forcing their way inside before they would then begin their search for expensive jewellery and money.
Jason MacDonaugh, 32, Darren O’Halloran, 38, Barney Casey, 22, and Daniel Harty, 32, of no fixed address but originally from Ireland, were convicted of conspiracy to burgle following a four-and-a-half week trial which concluded on August 2.
They were remanded into custody for sentencing on September 11.
CCTV footage showed two cars, and Audi RS3 and a VW Golf with false plates were used to flee the scenes.
Sergeant James Birtles, from West Midlands Police’s investigation team which led the enquiries, said: “This gang was relentless in their pursuit of jewellery, which could be sold on, along with cash.
“They tried to cover their tracks but through extensive enquiries, which included working with the An Garda Síochána [Irish Police], we managed to identify and link them to more than 50 burglaries across the region.
“We know the impact of being a victim of burglary, the intrusion into your home and the loss of sentimental items and hard-earned money. I have no doubts they would have struck again and again if not caught and they now face considerable time behind bars.”
