TWO CALLOUS men have been jailed over break-ins at family homes as West Midlands Police’s push to drive down burglary rates gathers speed.
Paul Gloster and 18-year-old Jack Simper were handed prison sentences for separate raids on properties in Castle Bromwich and Dorridge, respectively.
Simper is believed to be one of a group of thieves who struck at a Manor Road property in the early hours of February 3, prising wooden panels from a garage door before making off with a VW Tiguan, a Triumph motorbike and two pedal cycles.
However, forensic examination of the panels returned a DNA match to Simper and he was arrested from his home in Hazeldene Road, Sheldon, a week later.
Gloster, aged 24, was arrested after security camera footage showed him running from a house in Windleaves Road on January 30 carrying a Dyson vacuum cleaner − followed by two other men also carrying items swiped from the property.
Images of the offenders were circulated on police briefing systems and local officers identified Gloster, from Bordesley Green East, among those involved.
Both men admitted burglary and at Birmingham Crown Court where Simper was handed a 20-month sentence with Gloster jailed for 27 months at the same court.
Another man remains on remand in prison over the Castle Bromwich break-in awaiting trial on other criminal matters.
Burglar rates have increased recently in parts of the West Midlands − in line with the national trend − having previously dropped to record lows.
Criminals are focusing on homes with poor security to steal jewellery, phones and tablet computers − all of which are easy to sell on − or cash.
